HB447 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Jefferson Co., sheriff, confidential secretary, authorized for Bessemer Division, Sec. 45-37-232.40 am'd.

Summary

The bill lets the Jefferson County Sheriff hire a confidential secretary for the Bessemer Division and sets pay, benefits, and eligibility rules to align with other county confidential secretaries.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Sheriff to employ a confidential secretary for the Bessemer Division (in lieu of an executive secretary). The secretary would be paid the same as the Jefferson County Commission's confidential secretary and would not be subject to the county merit system. If a current Jefferson County merit-system employee becomes a confidential secretary, they may return to a merit-system job at equal or higher classification when they leave, and their time in the secretary role would count toward merit-system service. The secretary could join the county pension plan within 30 days of starting and would receive the same benefits as other merit-system employees, including longevity pay. It also prohibits any person from running for elected county office while employed as a confidential secretary.

Who It Affects

• The Sheriff of Jefferson County and the Bessemer Division, who gain authority to hire a confidential secretary and must follow the specified pay and benefit rules.
• Jefferson County merit-system employees who move into the confidential secretary role, who would not be subject to the merit system while in the role but could return to a merit-system job with equal or higher classification after leaving, with service time counted toward merit-system years.
• Potential confidential secretaries and pension plan participants, who may join the Jefferson County pension plan within 30 days of employment and receive benefits comparable to other county employees (e.g., longevity pay).
• Candidates for elected county office, who would be prohibited from running for office while employed as the sheriff's confidential secretary.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Sheriff to employ a confidential secretary for the Bessemer Division (in lieu of an executive secretary).
• Confidential secretary must be paid the same as the Jefferson County Commission's confidential secretary and is not subject to the county merit system.
• If a merit-system employee becomes a confidential secretary, they may return to a merit-system position equal to or higher in classification after leaving the role.
• Service time as a confidential secretary counts toward merit-system service if the employee returns to a merit-system job.
• Confidential secretary receives the same benefits as merit-system employees, including longevity pay.
• Confidential secretary may join the Jefferson County pension plan within 30 days of starting employment.
• No person may run for elected county office while employed as a confidential secretary.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and 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

Jefferson County