HB221 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt Fridy

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Transportation Commission, established, members, duties, compensation, appointment of Transportation Department director, department not subject to Budget Management Act, Secs. 23-1-21, 23-1-21.2 am'd.

Summary

HB221 would create a nine-member State Transportation Commission to govern the Department of Transportation, appoint the DOT Director, and exempt the department from the Budget Management Act.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a nine-member State Transportation Commission appointed by the Governor, with one member from each DOT division, to coordinate and develop DOT activities. The Commission would appoint the Director of Transportation and supervise the director’s duties; the department would operate under the Commission and would be exempt from the Budget Management Act. The bill sets term lengths, diversity requirements, compensation, and ethics rules for commissioners, including a two-year post-service restriction for companies that do business with DOT. The Commission would assume the duties of the Director unless it delegates, and the Director would administer DOT policies, supervise staff, organize offices, coordinate activities, and report to the Legislature and Governor.

Who It Affects

• State Transportation Commission members: appointed by the Governor from each DOT division; serve part-time; receive compensation; must reflect state diversity; and face ethics/conflict-of-interest rules and post-service restrictions on employment with DOT contractors.
• Department of Transportation and its Director: would be governed by the Commission rather than directly by the Governor; the Director would be appointed by the Commission and would administer DOT operations, planning, contracts, and reporting, with the department exempt from the Budget Management Act.

Key Provisions

• Creates the State Transportation Commission with nine members, one from each DOT division, appointed by the Governor.
• Specifies initial and subsequent term lengths (2/4/6 years initially by division) and that members cannot serve consecutive terms; requires diversity and a quarterly report on diversity compliance.
• Empowers the Commission to appoint the Director of Transportation and to assume the duties of the Director unless delegated otherwise.
• Exempts the Department from the Budget Management Act and sets limitations on budget/fund control by the Governor or Finance Director in line with the commission's plans.
• Imposes ethics and conflict-of-interest rules: Commission members cannot work for or contract with DOT-related companies during service or for two years after; such companies face a two-year disqualification from DOT contracts.
• Requires the Director to administer DOT policies, supervise staff, coordinate offices, prepare annual reports, and sign contracts on behalf of the state.
• Requires bonds for Commission members and authorizes the Commission to set up offices and meeting rules; establishes compensation at 30% of the Governor’s cabinet compensation.
• Effective date set for the first day of the Governor’s next term after passage.

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

Subjects

Transportation Department