SB154 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Transportation Department, director authorized to appoint assistant counsel subject to State Merit System, Sec. 23-1-26 am'd.
Summary: The bill allows the Director of Transportation to appoint up to five assistant counsel to handle the department's legal work, with Attorney General approval, forming a formal legal division that includes support staff and must consider state diversity.
What This Bill Does
It amends Section 23-1-26 to authorize up to five assistant counsel for the DOT, with AG approval and in line with Merit System rules. The chief counsel and assistant counsel will be commissioned as assistant attorneys general and sworn in, and their stenographic and clerical staff will make up the DOT's legal division. The Director must consider racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity when making appointments. The change takes effect immediately after the Governor signs it.

Who It Affects
Alabama Department of Transportation and its legal division staff, who gain up to five assistant counsel and related support staff to transact the department's legal matters.
Attorneys seeking or serving in the DOT's legal division (and the Attorney General's Office), who are subject to Merit System rules and require AG approval and swearing-in to become assistant attorneys general.

Key Provisions
Authorizes the Director of Transportation, with Attorney General approval, to appoint not more than five assistant counsel to transact the DOT's legal business.
Requires chief counsel and assistant counsel to be commissioned as assistant attorneys general and to take the oath of office.
Defines the legal division of the DOT as including the chief counsel, assistant counsel, and their stenographic/clerical staff.
Requires appointment decisions to consider diversity across race, gender, geography, urban/rural status, and economic background.
Effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.

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