HB247 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve McMillan

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Community College System, establish as a body corporate, employees hired after January 1, 2017 not subject to Students First Act of 2011, board of trustees of system to establish procedures for discipline and tenure, powers re acquisition of property provided, Act 2015-125, 2015 Reg. Sess., am'd; Secs. 16-60-110.1, 16-60-111.4, 16-60-111.7, 16-60-111.10 am'd.

Summary

HB247 would make the Alabama Community College System a body corporate, limit the Students First Act for pre-2017 employees, and give the Board broad control over discipline, tenure, and property.

What This Bill Does

It changes the Alabama Community College System from a department into a body corporate with powers similar to other state higher education institutions. It directs the Board of Trustees to set rules for discipline, termination, and tenure, with different rules for employees hired before January 1, 2017 and those hired on or after that date. It authorizes the Board to own, acquire, lease, dispose of, and manage property, including rules about ownership of property held before or after May 12, 2015. The act becomes effective immediately after the Governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Faculty and staff employed by community and technical colleges before January 1, 2017 who would continue under the existing Students First Act and related regulations, including any pending actions being completed under those procedures.
• The Alabama Community College System and its Board of Trustees (and the colleges themselves), which would gain corporate status, new governance authority, and property ownership and management powers.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Community College System as a body corporate with powers similar to four-year state higher education institutions, replacing the Department of Postsecondary Education.
• Limits application of the Students First Act to employees hired before January 1, 2017; employees hired on or after January 1, 2017 fall under new board-governed discipline, termination, and tenure procedures.
• Authorizes the Board of Trustees to govern discipline, termination, and tenure standards for faculty and staff, appoint presidents, and regulate other personnel matters and funding processes.
• Gives the Board authority to acquire, own, lease, convey, and dispose of real and personal property, with property ownership rules specifying pre- and post-May 12, 2015 distinctions; clarifies property held prior to 2015 remains under ACCS, and post-2015 property is acquired in ACCS’s name.
• Effective date: the act takes effect immediately after it is passed and approved 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

Alabama Community College System