HB538 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve McMillan

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

County officers, Omnibus Pay Act, increases to be cost-of-living increases only, may be granted other than on adoption of budget, limitation during 4-year period, Sec. 11-2A-4 am'd.

Summary

HB538 would change how some Alabama local elected officials are paid by tying their pay increases to county employee increases, with an 8% cap and certain restrictions on expenses and offsets if local laws raise pay.

What This Bill Does

It would allow local officials covered by Chapter 11-2A to receive the same increases as county employees when the county budget is approved, including cost-of-living, longevity, merit, and bonuses. These increases would be limited to no more than 8% over a four-year period. Certain offices would be barred from receiving an expense allowance, and if a local law increases compensation, cost-of-living adjustments could not be paid until total compensation reaches the increase provided by the local law. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after it becomes law.

Who It Affects

• Local elected officials covered by Chapter 11-2A (such as tax assessor, tax collector, revenue commissioner, license commissioner, elected assistant tax assessor, and elected assistant tax collector) would be eligible for increases tied to the county budget and would face the 8% cap per four-year period.
• Certain offices listed (tax assessor, tax collector, revenue commissioner, license commissioner, elected assistant tax assessor, elected assistant tax collector) would be barred from receiving an expense allowance under the law and would still be subject to the 8% cap.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 11-2A-4 to make local officials eligible for the same uniform increases as county employees at the time of county budget approval, including cost-of-living increases, longevity increases, merit raises, and bonuses.
• Imposes an eight percent increase cap under this chapter during a four-year term or four-year period, whichever applies.
• Specifies that certain offices shall not receive an expense allowance and are subject to the eight percent cap; and establishes a mechanism that limits increases if a local law raises compensation.
• If a local law increases compensation, cost-of-living adjustments under subsection (a) are deferred until total compensation would equal or exceed the local-law increase.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month following passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Counties