SB284 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Del Marsh
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Jacksonville State University, board of trustees membership revised, term decreased, Sec. 16-52-3 am'd.
Summary: SB284 changes Jacksonville State University's board of trustees by shortening trustee terms from 12 to 6 years and adding age-related rules for serving.
What This Bill Does
Sets most trustee terms at six years (instead of twelve). For the first group of trustees appointed under the act, terms are split into four, eight, and twelve years, while the in-state at-large seat retains a twelve-year term. It allows a trustee who turns 75 during a term to finish that term, creates a Trustee Emeritus option for departing trustees aged 70 or older with honorary privileges, and keeps the rule that no JSU employee can serve on the board. The board's basic composition—district-based seats, two at-large seats (one in-state and one out-of-state), the State Superintendent of Education, and the Governor as ex officio president—remains the same, and no trustee may serve more than three full terms.

Who It Affects
Future and current Jacksonville State University trustees: terms shortened to six years for most appointments, with initial terms set as 4, 8, and 12 years for the first appointees and a 12-year term for the in-state at-large seat.
Jacksonville State University and Alabama governance: preserves board composition and eligibility rules (no JSU employee on the board) while adjusting term lengths and aging-related provisions.

Key Provisions
Amends Sections 16-52-3 and 16-52-4 to revise board membership and term lengths for Jacksonville State University.
Trustee term length changed from 12 to 6 years for future appointments; the first trustees under the act have staggered terms of 4, 8, and 12 years, with the in-state at-large seat still on a 12-year term.
No trustee may serve more than three full terms.
A trustee who turns 75 during a term may continue to serve until that term ends.
Departing trustees aged 70 or older may be designated Trustee Emeritus and receive honorary privileges.
No employee of Jacksonville State University shall be eligible to serve on the board.
Board composition remains: two trustees from the hosting congressional district, one from each other district, two at-large trustees (one in-state, one out-of-state), the State Superintendent of Education, and the Governor as ex officio president.

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