SB203 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

State Forestry Commission, Department of Agriculture and Industries renamed as Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Industries, Division of State Forestry within Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Industries created, transfer of responsibilities and other effects of the State Forestry Commission to the Division of State Forestry, Secs. 9-3-2, 9-3-3, 9-3-16 repealed; Secs. 9-3-1, 9-3-2, 9-3-3, 9-3-4, 9-3-5 to 9-3-10, inclusive, 9-3-10.1, 9-3-11 to 9-3-15, inclusive, 9-3-17, 9-3-19, 9-8A-3, 9-10A-4, 9-13-1, 9-13-3, 9-13-4, 9-13-5, 9-13-6, 9-13-8, 9-13-9, 9-13-10, 9-13-10.1, 9-13-11, 9-13-24, 9-13-40 to 9-13-47, inclusive, 9-13-49, 9-13-50, 9-13-63, 9-13-64, 9-13-65, 9-13-80, 9-13-84, 9-13-103, 9-13-104, 9-13-122, 9-13-124, 9-13-125, 9-13-126, 9-13-140, 9-13-141, 9-13-161 to 9-13-164, inclusive, 9-13-166, 9-13-167, 9-13-181, 9-13-182, 9-13-185, 9-13-189, 9-13-190, 9-13-192 to 9-13-196, inclusive, 9-13-201, 9-13-225, 9-13-226, 9-13-272, 9-13-273, 9-15-3, 9-15-30, 9-15-82, 11-84-2, 23-1-293, 31-9C-2, 32-6-272, 32-6-410, 32-6-411, 32-6-413, 36-16-11, 36-21-8, 36-27-59, 36-30-1, 36-30-2, 36-32-1, 40-7-25.1, 41-4-33.1, 41-6A-8, 41-23-141 am'd.

Summary

SB203 would rename the Department of Agriculture and Industries, create a Division of State Forestry within the new department, and transfer the State Forestry Commission’s duties, funds, and staff to that division.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes the name of the department to Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Services and creates a Division of State Forestry inside it. It moves all functions, papers, funds, and property of the State Forestry Commission to the Division of State Forestry, effectively centralizing forestry work within the department. It also repeals certain old provisions and sets October 1, 2015 as the act’s effectiveness date, while ensuring transferred employees retain their salary, benefits, and seniority. It updates governance references to reflect the new department and division structure.

Who It Affects

• State Forestry Commission staff and leadership (including the State Forester and Assistant State Forester) who will be transferred to the Division of State Forestry within the renamed department, with protections to retain salary, benefits, and seniority.
• The general public, state forests, and forestry programs that rely on forestry services and regulations, which will continue to be administered by the Division of State Forestry under the new department name and governance structure.

Key Provisions

• Renames the Department of Agriculture and Industries to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Services and renames the State Board of Agriculture and Industries to the State Board of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Services.
• Creates the Division of State Forestry within the renamed Department and transfers all powers, duties, records, property, and funds of the State Forestry Commission to this Division.
• Repeals Sections 9-3-2, 9-3-3, and 9-3-16 of the Code of Alabama 1975 as part of the restructuring.
• Ensures transferred employees retain their salary, benefits, and seniority and directs the Commissioner to oversee the transfer and ongoing administration of the Division.
• Sets October 1, 2015 as the act’s effective date.

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

Subjects

Forestry Commission