HB554 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Alan BakerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

State agencies, Department of Commerce, transfer of certain programs of the Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Department of Postsecondary Education, Secs. 41-29-5, 41-29-240, 41-29-241, 41-29-250, 41-29-260, 41-29-270, 41-29-300 added; Sec. 41-9-204 repealed; Secs. 41-9-201, 41-9-202, 41-9-202.1, 41-9-203 amended and renumbered as 41-29-1, 41-29-2, 41-29-3, 41-29-4, 41-9-760 to 41-9-767, incl., am'd and renumbered as 41-29-220 to 41-29-227, incl., 41-9-1080 to 41-9-1086, incl., am'd and renumbered as 41-29-280 to 41-29-286, incl., 16-66-1 to 16-66-8, incl., am'd and renumbered as 41-29-290 to 41-29-297, inclusive

Summary

HB554 would move many economic and workforce programs from two state departments into a new Department of Commerce, reorganize it into divisions, and create new small business and regional workforce governance structures.

What This Bill Does

It transfers programs, property, employees, and funding from the Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Department of Postsecondary Education to the Department of Commerce, and reorganizes the department into divisions for Business Development and Workforce Development. It creates the Alabama Small Business Office of Advocacy, the Alabama Small Business Commission, and the Alabama Small Business Advisory Committee to advocate for small businesses and inform policy. It also establishes regional and statewide workforce development governance, including the transfer of international trade functions and the Alabama Industrial Development and Training Institute under the new department, and creates Regional Workforce Development Councils to coordinate regional planning and funding.

Who It Affects

• Small businesses and entrepreneurs in Alabama, who gain a dedicated advocacy office and commission to represent their interests and help navigate state programs and regulations.
• State agencies, public colleges, and economic/workforce development entities (e.g., DECA, DPE, Alabama Community College System, AIDT, regional workforce boards), whose programs, staff, and funding are reorganized under the Department of Commerce and redirected through new governance structures.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Transfers and reorganizes multiple departments, programs, duties, boards, and committees into a newly formed Department of Commerce, creates divisions (Business Development, Workforce Development, International Trade), renumbers and amends numerous Code sections, and repeals 41-9-4.
• Provision 2: Establishes the Alabama Small Business Office of Advocacy and the Alabama Small Business Commission, plus the Alabama Small Business Advisory Committee, and creates Regional Workforce Development Councils with regional governance, reporting, funding recommendations, and coordination with the Workforce Development Division.

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

Subjects

Commerce Department