HB534 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: John F. Knight Jr
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Minority Affairs, Office of, Advisory Board on Minority Affairs created, director position created as cabinet level position
Summary: HB534 would create the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs as a statutory, cabinet-level office with an Advisory Board to focus on improving the lives of minorities and women in Alabama.
What This Bill Does
The bill establishes the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs by statute and designates a Director as a cabinet-level position. It creates the Advisory Board on Minority Affairs to advise the Director. The Director would engage in statewide outreach, promote equal access and representation for minorities and women in areas like education, health, housing, and justice, coordinate with state agencies and business/education groups to foster minority- and women-owned businesses, and monitor or research legislation and programs affecting minority communities.

Who It Affects
Minorities and women in Alabama, who would gain a formal state office advocating for their needs and a broader role in policy input, representation, and access to services.
State government agencies, programs, and business/education stakeholders, which would be coordinated and advised by the Director, with an emphasis on supporting minority- and women-owned businesses and monitoring relevant legislation and programs.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs by statute and designates the Director as a cabinet-level position appointed by the Governor.
Creates the Advisory Board on Minority Affairs, appointed by the Governor, to advise the Director and serve as a resource from diverse communities and experts.
Defines the Director's duties to conduct statewide outreach, promote equal access and representation, encourage public debate, assess state agency efforts, collaborate to identify and promote minority- and women-owned businesses, advise on program coordination, monitor legislation, and research quality-of-life issues for minorities.
Specifies the office's focus areas include education, health, economics, political participation, housing, employment, civil rights, criminal justice, and race relations.
Effective immediately upon passage and approval; the Director serves at the pleasure of 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: Governor