HB538 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Terri CollinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

State Superintendent of Education, appointment by the Governor required, member of Governor's cabinet, Sec. 16-4-1 am'd.

Summary

HB538 would shift the appointment of Alabama's State Superintendent of Education to the Governor, make the Superintendent a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, and make the change take effect only after a constitutional amendment is ratified.

What This Bill Does

Changes who picks the State Superintendent of Education from the State Board of Education to the Governor. Makes the Superintendent a member of the Governor's Cabinet and requires the Superintendent to advise the Governor on education matters. Delays the change until a specified constitutional amendment ( Amendment No. 284 ) is ratified. Keeps the Superintendent’s salary in the range for Cabinet members and paid from the State Department of Education's appropriation.

Who It Affects

• State Superintendent of Education: would be appointed by the Governor, would serve as a Cabinet member, and would advise the Governor on education matters, with the change taking effect only after the constitutional amendment is ratified.
• Governor and State Board of Education: the Governor gains appointment authority for the Superintendent (changing the Board’s current role) and the education office becomes part of the Governor’s Cabinet, subject to the constitutional amendment.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-4-1 to change the appointment of the State Superintendent of Education from the State Board of Education to the Governor.
• Requires the Superintendent to serve as a member of the Governor's Cabinet and to advise the Governor on education matters.
• States the changes become effective only after ratification of a constitutional amendment (Amendment No. 284) to the Alabama Constitution.
• Prescribes salary terms for the State Superintendent that are within the range for Governor's Cabinet members and paid from the State Department of Education's appropriation.

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

Subjects

Education