HB240 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny GarrettRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

University of Alabama, Board of Trustees, congressional districts for membership as constituted on 1/1/2018, State Superintendent of Education removed from membership, age restriction of 70 deleted, Section 264 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, am'd, const. amend.

Summary

HB 240 would amend Alabama's Constitution to fix the University of Alabama Board of Trustees' district composition as of January 1, 2018, remove the State Superintendent of Education from the board, and eliminate the automatic retirement at age 70 for trustees.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would put a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment to: keep the board’s district makeup as it was on Jan 1, 2018 (two members per district plus an extra member from the campus site district), remove the State Superintendent of Education from the board, and remove the requirement that trustees retire after turning 70. It also outlines how new and existing trustees would be appointed or confirmed, sets six-year terms with limits, and restricts compensation to actual expenses. The governor would remain the ex officio president of the board, and trustees may be designated emeritus after they leave, with no additional duties. The election and confirmation processes would involve the board, the Senate, and certification to the Senate for confirmation.

Who It Affects

• Current and future members of the University of Alabama Board of Trustees, who would be chosen under new district and term rules and would no longer include the State Superintendent of Education as a member.
• Alabama voters, who would vote on the constitutional amendment in a statewide election to approve or reject these changes.

Key Provisions

• Constitutional amendment to Section 264: board will have two members from each congressional district as of January 1, 2018, plus one additional member from the district containing the first campus, and the governor will be ex officio president.
• The State Superintendent of Education is removed from Board membership (no longer part of the trustees).
• The automatic retirement rule is removed, so trustees would not be required to vacate at the annual meeting following their 70th birthday.
• Trustees serve six-year terms, with initial terms not longer than six years and staggered so terms expire over time; no more than three consecutive six-year terms.
• New and successor trustees are elected by the board and must be confirmed by the Senate; if the Senate rejects a nomination, the board elects a replacement.
• Trustees are not paid beyond actual expenses; the board can elect an honorary 'trustee emeritus' upon vacancy, with no duties or privileges.
• An election on the proposed amendment would be held to determine whether the changes are adopted.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments