HB340 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

University of Alabama Board of Trustees, renamed to Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System, membership of board revised to include members from where campuses are located, consecutive terms decreased, officer of chancellor, Section 264 (Section 264, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., const. amend.

Summary

The bill would rename the University of Alabama's Board to the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System, expand its membership and powers, shorten term limits, and fix the system's office location.

What This Bill Does

It changes the governing board to include more members from districts and areas with campuses, alumni groups, and state officials; it reduces the maximum consecutive six-year terms trustees can serve from three to two and imposes a retirement age of 70. It also specifies that the system's main office (and the chancellor, if one is employed) must be located in the largest municipality within a county that contains a campus. The bill also creates an appointing committee to oversee trustee appointments with a diversity requirement and sets out a Senate-confirmation process for certain positions.

Who It Affects

• The University of Alabama System's governance (board members, the chancellor, and campus alumni associations) would see major changes in how members are selected, who can serve, and how long they can stay in office.
• Alabama residents and state/local government entities (municipalities, counties, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker, President Pro Tempore, and the Senate) through broadened representation requirements, appointment rights, and confirmation processes that influence public oversight of the university system.

Key Provisions

• Rename the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama to the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System.
• Redesign the board to include members from each congressional district, an additional member from the district containing the first campus site, the superintendent of education, and the Governor.
• Add one member from each congressional district where a campus is located, plus several other positions including municipal and county appointments and alumni representatives from each campus.
• Include at-large members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, plus the State Superintendent of Education and the Governor as ex officio president.
• Limit trustees to two consecutive six-year terms (instead of three) and require retirement at the end of the trustee's 70th birthday.
• Set the system office location and, if employed, the chancellor's location to be in the largest municipality within a county that contains a campus.
• Establish an appointing committee to oversee trustee appointments, ensure diversity, and require Senate confirmation for certain appointments.
• Provide a process for filling vacancies and for appointments to be staggered so terms expire over six years, with elections and confirmations as specified.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments