SB137 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Board of Registrars, guidelines revised, diverse appointments required, ineligibility for service, compensation revised, hours of operation, Sec. 17-3-2, 17-3-3, 17-3-4, 17-3-5, 17-3-8 am'd.

Summary

SB137 updates the Board of Registrars rules to allow appointment at pleasure, improve diversity and guidelines, clarify pay and benefits, set open hours, and require hour tracking.

What This Bill Does

Appointees to the Board of Registrars would serve at the pleasure of the appointing authorities starting October 1, 2019, with coordinated efforts to improve diversity. The Secretary of State would prescribe guidelines and a detailed job description; if a registrar is removed for cause, they cannot be reappointed for the rest of the term, and vacancies can be filled by the state board or temporarily by the Secretary of State if not filled within 30 days. The bill clarifies pay and travel for registrars, making them state employees for certain purposes, with pay of $80 per working day, holiday pay, mileage allowances, and county funding with state reimbursement. It also requires the board to operate during courthouse hours, track hours worked, allows special sessions, and sets county-specific limits on meeting days.

Who It Affects

• Registrars and the Board of Registrars: their appointments would be at the pleasure of the appointing authorities, with removal for cause causing ineligibility for reappointment, and new guidelines, compensation, and hour-tracking requirements that govern their work.
• Counties, county taxpayers, and the public: funding and administration of registrar pay and travel, hours of operation aligned with courthouse schedules, and access to registration services during those hours, plus state oversight and guideline development.

Key Provisions

• Appointments to the Board of Registrars serve at the pleasure of the appointing authorities beginning October 1, 2019, with coordinated efforts to enhance diversity (racial, gender, urban/rural, economic).
• The Secretary of State shall prescribe guidelines, including a detailed job description and minimum qualifications; registrars cannot hold elective office during their term; one member becomes chair as designated by the state board of appointment.
• Registrars removed for cause are ineligible for reappointment for the duration of the term; vacancies are filled by the Governor, Auditor, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries (or majority), with the Secretary of State capable of temporary appointments if unfilled within 30 days.
• Compensation and benefits are clarified: registrars receive $80 per working day, holiday pay, mileage allowances, and county-funded travel/expenses with state reimbursement; registrars are treated as state employees for Social Security and related benefits.
• The board must be open during the same hours as the county courthouse and have a registrar present; the Secretary of State will establish a method to track and report hours worked.
• There are county-specific maximums for registrar meeting days per fiscal year, and provisions for up to 25 days of special registration sessions with notice requirements.

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

Subjects

Elections