SB271 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Division of Conservation and Natural Resources, created, Ag. and Industries Dept., Secs. 2-2-8, 9-2-14, 9-2-15 am'd.

Summary

SB 271 would merge the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources into a new Division of Conservation and Natural Resources within the Department of Agriculture and Industries, transferring all related duties, assets, and personnel to be effective Oct. 1, 2019.

What This Bill Does

It creates the Division of Conservation and Natural Resources inside the Department of Agriculture and Industries and transfers all duties, powers, papers, funds, property, employees, and contractual rights of the old department to the new division. The Director of the Division will be appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, with salary set by the Commissioner, and will oversee the transferred functions and have authority to reorganize as needed. The Code will be amended to reflect the new structure, and references to the old department will refer to the Division within the Department of Agriculture and Industries. Employees transferred to the Division retain their classifications and benefits, and no one will see a decrease in salary, benefits, or seniority because of the transfer, with the act becoming effective October 1, 2019.

Who It Affects

• Employees of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources — their jobs, duties, and related records would transfer to the Division within the Department of Agriculture and Industries, with classifications and benefits preserved and no salary reduction from the transfer.
• Alabama residents and conservation stakeholders — conservation programs and related services would be administered by the Division within the Department of Agriculture and Industries, under the new organizational structure and governance provisions.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Division of Conservation and Natural Resources within the Department of Agriculture and Industries, effective October 1, 2019.
• Transfers all duties, powers, papers, funds, property, employees, and contractual rights of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to the Division.
• Defines leadership and oversight: the Division's Director is appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, salary set by the Commissioner, and the Director oversees the transferred functions and can reorganize; employee classifications and benefits are preserved.
• Amends Code Sections 2-2-8, 9-2-14, and 9-2-15 to reflect the new organization and to outline the governance and advisory provisions applicable to the Division and its activities.
• Code references to the former department will be updated to refer to the Division within the Department of Agriculture and Industries; the Code Commissioner will implement these conforming changes.
• Establishes an Advisory Board of Conservation and Natural Resources with defined membership, duties, terms, and operating procedures, including the Governor and the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries; provides for travel reimbursements and the ex officio secretary role for the Division's Director.

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

Subjects

Agriculture and Industries Department