HB588 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Lynn Greer

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

State employees, compensation, Governor required to designate two state holidays furlough days, state holidays limited, compensation further provided for, Sec. 1-3-8 am'd.

Summary

HB588 would require two mandatory unpaid furlough days for state employees in the 2015-2016 fiscal year on state holidays, cap paid holidays at 13 per year, and define holidays and holiday pay rules as eight-hour days.

What This Bill Does

The Governor would order two mandatory furlough days for state employees during the 2015-2016 fiscal year on days designated as state holidays, with furlough days unpaid (essential workers working on a furlough day receive pay for the hours worked). It would cap the number of paid state holidays at 13 per calendar year, making any extra holidays unpaid, and define a state holiday as an eight-hour day. For holiday work, compensation would be limited to the lesser of eight hours or the time actually worked, with options for compensatory leave or pay; offices would generally close on holidays, but may stay open by approval in certain circumstances, and a personal leave day would be provided (with exceptions) and scheduled like other leave.

Who It Affects

• State employees: face two furlough days in 2015-2016, plus new rules on holiday pay and a personal leave day (for most, not Baldwin/Mobile counties).
• Essential state employees: if required to work on a furlough day, they receive regular pay for hours worked; furloughs do not override Fair Labor Standards Act protections.
• Baldwin and Mobile Counties employees: excluded from the annual personal leave day provision.
• State offices, banks, and public schools: generally close on state holidays, with some flexibility for openings or partial days in emergencies or by authorization.

Key Provisions

• Two mandatory furlough days for state employees during the 2015-2016 fiscal year on days designated as state holidays; furlough days are unpaid, but employees remain in benefit status; essential workers receive pay for hours worked on furlough days.
• Amends Section 1-3-8 to cap paid state holidays at 13 per calendar year; if the Governor declares more than 13, the extra holidays are unpaid; includes a list of recognized holidays and how observances are handled when holidays fall on weekends.
• Defines a state holiday as an eight-hour day; compensation for working on a holiday is limited to the lesser of eight hours or actual hours worked, with options for compensatory leave or pay up to eight hours; all state offices close on holidays unless opened by prior approval and under emergency/essential service provisions; scheduling and carryover rules apply for compensatory leave.
• Adds a personal leave day: all state employees (except those in Baldwin and Mobile Counties) receive one personal leave day per year on January 1, which must be scheduled with a supervisor and may be paid if not used; unused days may have pay implications if not scheduled.

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

Subjects

State Agencies