HB307 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: John F. Knight Jr
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: State employees, certification by agency head required prior to certain travel in service of the state, Sec. 36-7-21 am'd.
Summary: HB 307 changes how state travel is approved and reimbursed by requiring written authorization and certification from agency heads (and higher authorities) before travel, and sets who can approve travel for different state groups.
What This Bill Does
The bill allows state employees traveling to attend or help host certain state, regional, or national organization meetings to be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses plus transportation, including trips within Alabama. For most travel, the traveler’s agency head must provide written authorization before departure and certify that the travel is necessary; for in-state travel, the authorization must also certify that the traveler is a dues-paying member of the organization and has membership documentation on file. The Governor must pre-approve agency-head travel, and the Finance Director can set policies to help determine reimburseability. It also designates who must approve travel for different parts of state government (Legislative, Judicial, higher education, Agriculture) and provides a limited exemption for certain insurance examiners.

Who It Affects
State employees traveling in service of the state to attend or host conventions, conferences, seminars, or similar meetings (inside or outside Alabama) who seek reimbursement.
Agency heads and other officials who must authorize and certify travel for reimbursement, including designated leaders in the Legislative, Judicial, higher education, and Agriculture departments.

Key Provisions
Travel expenses eligible for reimbursement include all actual and necessary expenses plus transportation, for meetings held inside or outside Alabama, where the traveler or state is a dues-paying member.
Most travel requires written authorization before departure, with the agency head certifying that the travel is necessary; in-state travel requires certification that the travel is for attending or hosting the meeting and that membership documentation is on file.
The Governor must fully authorize agency-head travel in writing prior to departure; the Finance Director may establish procedures to help determine whether travel is authorized and reimbursable.
Specific authorization authority is defined for different groups: Legislative branch (Senate President/Speaker for their members, others by the Secretary/Clerk, and directors for legislative staff), Judicial branch (Chief Justice), higher education (institution presidents), and Agriculture (Commissioner).
An exception exists for examiners designated by the Insurance Commissioner when expenses are paid by insurers or others.

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