HB165 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Equal Pay Remedies and Enforcement Act, established, legislative findings regarding wage differentials between minorities and nonminorities and males and females, Equal Pay Commission established, members, duties, powers, report to Governor and Legislature

Summary

HB 165 would create the Alabama Equal Pay Remedies and Enforcement Act and establish the Alabama Equal Pay Commission to study wage gaps between men and women and between minorities and non-minorities, and to report recommendations to the Legislature.

What This Bill Does

The bill declares that wage disparities exist and creates a dedicated commission to study how big the gaps are, what causes them, and what effects they have on families and the economy. It sets up a nine-member Alabama Equal Pay Commission with specific appointment rules to represent business, labor, advocacy groups, and higher education or research institutions. The commission must study the extent and causes of wage disparities in both public and private sectors, identify possible actions (including legislation) to eliminate disparities, and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the 2019 Regular Session, after which the commission would be dissolved. The act also establishes a starting date and requires coordinating appointments to ensure diverse representation.

Who It Affects

• Women and racial/ethnic minority workers in Alabama, who are the focus of the wage disparity study and potential future policy recommendations
• Employers and business organizations in Alabama, whose pay practices may be examined and potentially affected by future legislation or recommendations
• Labor organizations and their members, who participate in the commission and advocate for pay equity
• Higher education and research institutions and their staff, who provide data collection and analysis for wage studies

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Equal Pay Remedies and Enforcement Act and the Alabama Equal Pay Commission
• Creates a nine-member commission with specified appointment processes from business groups, labor organizations, advocacy groups, and higher education/research institutions, designed to reflect state diversity
• Directs the commission to study wage disparities between men and women and between minorities and non-minorities, including causes such as occupational segregation and childcare responsibilities, and the economic impact of these disparities
• Requires the commission to recommend actions and potential legislation to eliminate and prevent wage disparities
• Mandates a final report to the Legislature by the tenth legislative day of the 2019 Regular Session and dissolves the commission after the report
• Provides an effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval

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

Subjects

Employment