HB53 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will AinsworthLt. Governor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Ethics law, retired director, chief or division chief, employment by contract for transition period authorized, prohibition on former government employee serving as a lobbyist before former employer, include working under contract, Sec. 36-25-13 am'd.

Summary

Allows a retired top government official to contract with their former agency for a short transition, and tightens after-employment lobbying rules when the official previously worked under certain arrangements.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets a retired director, department chief, or division chief contract with their former government employer immediately after retirement to help with the transition, but only if the Ethics Commission Director approves the contract. It preserves a two-year ban on former officials or employees acting as lobbyists, and clarifies that this ban also applies when they worked through a consulting agreement, agency transfer, or loan. The transition contract is limited to three months, must comply with existing ethics rules, and the retiree’s combined retirement and contract pay cannot exceed their pre-retirement monthly pay, with prior approval required. The act takes effect immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Retired directors, department chiefs, or division chiefs who may contract with their former government employer for a short transition period under approved conditions.
• Former public officials or public employees who previously worked for an agency via consulting agreements, agency transfers, or loans, because the two-year lobbying prohibition applies to them after leaving.

Key Provisions

• Amends 36-25-13 to authorize, under limited circumstances, a retired top official to contract with their former government employer to assist during the transitional period, with approval from the Director of the Ethics Commission.
• Allows a transition contract to last no more than three months after retirement.
• Requires the retiree to comply with Section 36-27-8.2 during the transition contract.
• Caps total pay from the transition contract so that combined retirement pay and contract pay do not exceed the retiree’s gross monthly retirement pay at the time of retirement.
• Requires prior submission to and approval by the Director of the Ethics Commission before the retiree begins work under the contract.
• Maintains a two-year lobbying prohibition for former public officials or employees, including when they worked under consulting agreements, agency transfers, or loans.
• Includes a judiciary carve-out: former Alabama judiciary members are exempt from the lobbying prohibition when acting as an attorney in a legal, non-lobbying capacity.
• Effective immediately upon the governor’s approval.

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

Subjects

Ethics