SB484 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Auburn University, Board of Trustees, procedure for adjusting terms so that only three terms expire per year, two additional at-large members, Amendment 161(Sec. 266, Recompiled Constitution of 1901, as amended) am'd, const. amend.

Summary

A constitutional amendment to add two at-large members to Auburn University's Board of Trustees and to cap term expirations so no more than three terms expire in a single year.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the amendment would automatically adjust trustees' term expiration dates in any year where four or more terms would expire, ensuring at most three terms expire in that year. It would add two at-large board seats to improve diversity on the Auburn University Board of Trustees, with specified appointment processes and diversity goals. It would also update and remove obsolete transitional language within the Constitution and require statewide voter approval for the change.

Who It Affects

• Auburn University Board of Trustees and university governance, which would gain two additional at-large members and new rules for term expirations and appointments.
• Alabama voters and state governance structures, who would approve this constitutional amendment and oversee the revised appointment process and eligibility criteria for trustees.

Key Provisions

• Automatically adjust term expiration dates so that no more than three trustees have terms expiring in any calendar year when four or more would otherwise expire.
• Increase the Board of Trustees by adding two at-large members to enhance the diversity of the board.
• Establish an appointing committee chaired by the Governor with Senate consent required for trustee appointments, including procedures for initial at-large appointments and future appointments.
• Set seven-year terms for trustees with a limit of two full terms per person, and treat partial terms in determining term limits.
• Impose an age limit prohibiting appointments after a trustee reaches 70 years of age.
• Require that appointments reflect racial, gender, and economic diversity of the state and ensure broad constituency input; remove obsolete transition language.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments