HB628 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: K.L. Brown
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Calhoun Co., Cleburne Co., and Talladega Co., City of Oxford, Civil Service Board, employees, appointed employees, and vacancies of appointed positions, further provided for, Secs. 45-8A-112 to 45-8A-112.17, inclusive, am'd.
Summary: HB628 creates a Civil Service Board for the City of Oxford and updates rules for hiring, promoting, disciplining, and filling vacancies for Oxford employees in Calhoun, Cleburne, and Talladega counties.
What This Bill Does
It establishes a five-member Civil Service Board for Oxford with defined terms and residency requirements, and it sets merit-based hiring, job classifications, and salary ranges. The bill requires examinations, maintains eligible registers, and governs how vacancies are filled, including temporary appointments and probationary periods. It also outlines how suspensions, removals, and demotions are handled, with hearings and appeals to the board and, if needed, the Circuit Court, and it restricts certain political activities; it also specifies exemptions and board funding rules.

Who It Affects
City of Oxford employees and job applicants will be governed by civil service rules, be hired on merit, be placed on eligible registers, face probationary periods, and be subject to board-led disciplinary processes and salary ranges.
City government officials (mayor, governing body, department heads) and city residents who interact with the Civil Service Board, including those who may file charges or appeals, and who oversee or enforce the civil service rules and board budget.

Key Provisions
Creates a Civil Service Board for the City of Oxford in Calhoun, Cleburne, and Talladega counties; five members appointed by the Legislature; terms begin with varying lengths and then 1-year to 6-year cycles; board members must be residents and qualified electors of Oxford.
Board functions include classifying services, setting qualifications and salary ranges for each class, and allocating positions; board also conducts merit-based evaluations and maintains position classifications and pay structures.
Examinations and eligible registers: the board conducts public, competitive examinations; maintains rosters ranked by ability; appointments are made from the top ranks; temporary appointments may be used for up to 120 days if needed.
Vacancies are filled from the top of the appropriate eligible register or by in-service transfers; probationary periods apply (six months generally, 12 months for police); permanent status is earned after probation.
Disciplinary procedures: appointing authorities can suspend, demote, or remove employees with written findings; employees have right to appeal to the board, which holds de novo hearings and can reinstate or modify actions; hearings are open to the public and conducted with proper legal procedures.
Appeals: decisions of the board can be appealed to the Calhoun County Circuit Court in equity within 30 days; court reviews are on the record without a jury, and findings of fact by the board are final.
Exemptions: elective officers, members of appointive boards, city teachers, certain professionals (attorneys, physicians, etc.), the mayor's secretary, water/sewer board employees, emergency medical services, common laborers for which no register is kept, and seasonal workers are not covered by these civil service provisions.
Political activity: covered employees are restricted from political campaigning while on duty or using city resources; improper political activity can affect employment.
Board expenses: the board’s compensation and expenses are paid by the city, with a cap of $5,000 per year unless the city governing body approves a higher amount; the city must provide an office and basic services for the board.
Penalties: violations of the civil service provisions are Class C misdemeanors.

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