HB551 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Victor Gaston
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Auburn University, Board of Trustees, procedure for adjusting terms so that only three terms expire per year, two additional at-large members, Amendment 161 (Sec. 266, Recompiled Constitution of 1901, as amended) am'd, const. amend.
Summary: Constitutional amendment to add two at-large seats on Auburn University's Board of Trustees and to automatically stagger term expirations so no more than three terms expire in a year.
What This Bill Does
It would add two at-large members to the Auburn University Board of Trustees and create an appointing committee to fill these seats, with initial at-large appointments by the Governor subject to Senate confirmation and later appointments by the committee with Senate approval, aiming to reflect state diversity. It establishes a mechanism to adjust trustee term expirations so that no more than three terms expire in a single calendar year, by extending or moving terms as needed. Trustees would serve seven-year terms with a limit of two full terms, and an age limit of 70 for new appointees; vacancies would be filled through the same appointing process with confirmation requirements. The amendment would require appointment processes to be inclusive and reflective of the state's racial, gender, and economic diversity, and would require the Senate to confirm appointments.

Who It Affects
Auburn University Board of Trustees and prospective trustees, who would see two new at-large seats, new term rules (seven years, up to two terms), an age limit of 70, and a revised appointment/diversity process.
Governor, appointing committee, and the Alabama Senate, who would take on new roles in appointing and confirming at-large trustees, manage the appointing committee, and implement the term-expiration staggering rules.

Key Provisions
Adds two at-large members to the Auburn University Board of Trustees to increase board size and diversity.
Creates an appointing committee to fill at-large seats; the Governor first appoints two at-large members with Senate confirmation; subsequent at-large appointments are made by the appointing committee with Senate confirmation; committee members cannot be current trustees.
Board terms are seven years, with a limit of two full seven-year terms; partial terms do not count toward the limit.
If four or more terms would expire in a given year, the secretary adjusts expirations so only up to three terms expire that year, moving terms to the next year(s) with fewer than three expirations; the final three terms retain their original dates.
No person may be appointed to the board after reaching age 70.
Initial at-large appointments include one four-year term and one seven-year term; subsequent at-large terms align with other trustees.
The appointing committee is composed of specified members (including the Governor as chair and other designated trustees and alumni) and must solicit diverse nominees reflecting the state's racial, gender, and economic diversity.
A majority of the Senate must confirm appointments; withdrawals and re-submissions are allowed; if rejected, the process restarts.

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