HB287 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Historical Commission, monuments for Rosa Parks and Helen Keller, established

Summary

The bill creates a Women's Tribute Statue Commission to fund, commission, and place statues of Rosa Parks and Helen Keller at the Alabama State Capitol with specific placement rules and funding authority.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a seven-member commission to oversee the statues, with appointments split among the Governor, the Senate President Pro Tempore, and the House Speaker, and requires diverse representation from arts, disabilities, and civil rights communities. The commission may seek input from public and private groups on design and plans, and may use public and private funds, including in-kind services, to fund the monuments. The statues are to be placed at specified locations on Capitol grounds (Rosa Parks on the West front facing Bainbridge Street; Helen Keller in a disability-accessible location). The commission is terminated once the statues are placed, and the Alabama Historical Commission and the Division of Construction Management must implement the placement according to the commission’s recommendations. Meetings are subject to open meetings laws, and commission members serve without pay; the act takes effect immediately upon approval.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Alabama interested in public monuments and Civil Rights history, who will see new statues of Rosa Parks and Helen Keller placed on the Capitol grounds and funded through public or private sources.
• People with disabilities and disability advocacy groups, who are specifically ensured access to the Helen Keller statue location that will be readily accessible to and touchable by disabled individuals.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Women's Tribute Statue Commission to fund, commission, and place statues of Rosa Parks and Helen Keller.
• Specifies placement: Rosa Parks statue on the West front of the Capitol facing Bainbridge Street; Helen Keller statue in a location accessible to and touchable by disabled persons.
• Commission composition: seven members (3 appointed by Governor, 2 by President Pro Tempore of the Senate, 2 by Speaker of the House); members represent arts, disabilities, and civil rights; diversity goals; members serve without compensation.
• Governor appoints a chair; commission may elect a vice-chair; open meetings required; meets as called; four members present for a quorum; may adopt bylaws.
• Public and private funds, including in-kind services, may be used to fund the monuments.
• Commission is terminated upon placement of the statues; the Alabama Historical Commission and the Division of Construction Management must implement placement per the commission’s recommendations.
• Act becomes effective immediately upon the Governor's 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

Historical Commission