SB394 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg AlbrittonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Governor's appointed cabinet members, salary ranges set by State Personnel Board, salaries of new appointees capped, Sec. 36-6-6 repealed

Summary

SB394 would change how salaries for Governor’s cabinet members and certain exempt staff are set by requiring the State Personnel Board to establish pay ranges, capping new salaries at 10% above the range minimum, and limiting raises, while repealing an old law.

What This Bill Does

The State Personnel Board must establish an appropriate pay range for each department head, assistant department head, and other exempt Governor’s office staff. New appointees cannot earn more than 10% above the lowest salary in that range. Annual salary increases are limited to 10% and four-year increases to 25% total. Existing department heads would have salaries capped at the level set for new appointees, and Section 36-6-6 would be repealed. When someone other than the Governor makes an appointment, the salary is set by the appointing authority with Governor and SPB approval, with consideration given to market pay in other states and private industry.

Who It Affects

• Governor’s cabinet department heads, assistant department heads, exempt staff, and executive assistants in the Governor’s office: their salaries would be governed by SPB pay ranges, with new appointees capped at 10% above the range minimum and existing heads capped at the new level; annual and four-year raise limits would apply.
• State Personnel Board and other appointing authorities: the Board would establish pay ranges and oversee caps; non-Governor appointments would require approval from the Governor and SPB; the law repeal and market comparison requirements would affect how salaries are set.

Key Provisions

• The State Personnel Board must establish an appropriate pay range for each appointed department head, each appointed assistant department head, and other exempt Governor’s office staff.
• New appointees may not earn more than 10 percent above the lowest salary in the established pay range.
• Salaries may not increase more than 10 percent per year, and no more than 25 percent cumulatively over a four-year period.
• The salaries of all existing department heads would be capped at the level established for new appointees under this act.
• Section 36-6-6, Code of Alabama 1975, is repealed.
• If someone other than the Governor appoints an officer, the salary is fixed by the appointing authority with the Governor's and SPB's approval, and salaries must consider market comparables in other states and private industry.

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

Subjects

State Officers