HB159 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris SellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Appointments, made by the Governor, to be subject to confirmation by the Senate for certain agencies, Secs. 14-1-1.3, 22-50-16, 23-1-21, 40-2-41, 41-4-30, 41-27-2 am'd.

Summary

HB 159 would require Senate confirmation for the heads of seven major Alabama state agencies (DOT, Medicaid, Mental Health, Revenue, ASLEA, Corrections, and Finance) beginning January 16, 2023.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the Governor would appoint the agency heads, but the Senate would have to confirm them. After confirmation, those leaders would serve at the Governor's pleasure, with salaries set by the Governor in many cases. The bill also creates a new Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency who heads ASLEA, advises on public safety, acts as Homeland Security Advisor, coordinates homeland security programs (including immigration enforcement), and must be Senate-confirmed.

Who It Affects

• Heads of the seven specified agencies (DOT Director, Medicaid Commissioner, Mental Health Commissioner, Revenue Commissioner, ASLEA Secretary, Corrections Commissioner, and Finance Director) who would now require Senate confirmation after being appointed by the Governor.
• The Governor and the Senate, who would implement the confirmation process, set salaries where allowed, and establish the new Homeland Security functions through the ASLEA Secretary.

Key Provisions

• Starting January 16, 2023, the heads of the Department of Transportation, Medicaid Agency, Department of Mental Health, Department of Revenue, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, Department of Corrections, and the Department of Finance must be confirmed by the Senate after appointment by the Governor.
• After Senate confirmation, these leaders serve at the pleasure of the Governor; the Governor may set their salaries (with some positions aligned to cabinet-level pay).
• The Medicaid Agency Commissioner shall be appointed by the Governor and, beginning January 16, 2023, must be confirmed by the Senate and serve at the Governor's pleasure.
• The bill creates a Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency who is the head of ASLEA and oversees the Department of Public Safety and the State Bureau of Investigations; the Secretary is appointed by the Governor, confirmed by the Senate, and serves at the Governor's pleasure.
• The Secretary becomes the Homeland Security Advisor for Alabama and coordinates the state's homeland security program, including immigration enforcement; the Secretary is a Cabinet member and may delegate duties to the Director of Public Safety and the SBI.

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

Subjects

Agents and Agencies