SB411 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Minority Affairs, Office of, Advisory Board on Minority Affairs created, director position created as cabinet level position

Summary

The bill creates the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs as a statute-based, cabinet-level office with a Director and an Advisory Board to advise the Governor on minority issues.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the office would be created by statute (not just by executive order). The Director would be a cabinet-level official who serves as a liaison between minority communities and the Governor, leading outreach and coordination to improve access and opportunities in education, health, housing, economics, and criminal justice. The Director would assess state agency efforts, encourage public debate, and provide recommendations to foster minority- and women-owned business development and fair policy implementation. The Advisory Board on Minority Affairs would support the Director with guidance and expertise.

Who It Affects

• Minority communities in Alabama (including women) would gain a state office dedicated to improving quality of life and ensuring equal access to services and opportunities.
• Minority- and women-owned businesses, state agencies, and policymakers would see increased outreach, coordination, and evaluation of programs affecting minorities.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs by statute.
• Creates the Director of the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs as a cabinet-level position appointed by the Governor.
• Defines the Director's duties, including community outreach, representing minorities, promoting equal access, encouraging public debate, assessing state agency efforts, collaborating to promote minority- and women-owned business development, advising the Governor, monitoring legislation, and researching issues affecting minorities.
• Creates the Advisory Board on Minority Affairs to provide advisory input to the Director; board members represent racial and ethnic groups, women, state government, and education/workforce experts; appointed by the Governor.
• Outlines the Office's focus areas as education, health, economics, political participation and empowerment, housing, employment, civil rights, criminal justice, and race relations.
• Effective date: becomes law immediately following passage and approval 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

Governor