HB555 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy Davis

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Mobile Co., Civil Service System, county-wide, unclassified service, lay-offs, appointing authorities authorized to do own hiring, payment for excess annual leave, Act 470, 1939 Reg. Sess., am'd.

Summary

HB555 would let Mobile County appointing authorities add their own hiring program, expand who is in unclassified service, adjust lay-off rules, and allow payment for excess annual leave.

What This Bill Does

Allows appointing authorities under the countywide civil service system to create an internal recruitment, testing, interviewing, and hiring program, with a required human resources policies and procedures manual and an annual audit. Permits paying certain employees during the working test period up to the mid-range of the position's pay; may also allow special adjustments in steps within a grade, upon approval. Gives the option to compensate excess annual leave at year-end, with a process to elect participation, determine equitable payout shares, and choose cash or deferred compensation; participation is voluntary each year.

Who It Affects

• Appointing authorities under Act 470 of 1939 (Mobile County) who elect to establish their own internal hiring program and related HR policies; they would also oversee potential pay during the working test, annual audits, and any step adjustments.
• Mobile County employees and job applicants covered by the countywide civil service system (including those newly placed in unclassified categories and those at risk of layoffs), who may be affected by changes to hiring, lay-off procedures based on seniority, and the option to receive compensation for excess annual leave.

Key Provisions

• Section II – Unclassified Service: expands who is in the Unclassified Service to include elected officials, chief assistants, certain school personnel, the Personnel Director, independent contractors funded by public funds, Classified Service participants, common laborers, licensed professionals, judges, part-time board members, federally or state-funded employees, and hospital training staff.
• Section XXI – Lay-offs: preserves seniority and service ratings for lay-offs; appointing authority determines lay-off order based on need and ratings; requires written notice to the Director; laid-off employees placed on appropriate re-employment lists.
• Section 2 – Local hiring option: appointing authorities may elect to run their own recruitment/hiring program with a HR policy manual; may pay performance-exceeding employees during working test up to mid-range; may adjust steps; employees remain protected by Personnel Board rules and an annual audit is required.
• Section 3 – Excess annual leave payout: appointing authorities may elect to compensate excess annual leave at year-end; elections must be communicated by Oct 1; payments can be full/partial and may be cash or deferred compensation; participation is voluntary each year with an equitable distribution determined by the authority.

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

Subjects

Mobile County