HB537 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rich Wingo

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

State agencies, process to require agencies to provide detailed information on the services they provide or fund, service inventory, Legislative Services Agency responsible for compiling a catalog of services for the state

Summary

HB 537 creates the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services to advise on evaluating state services and replaces the prior act that established an evidence-based budgeting process.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates a state commission to advise the Legislature and Governor on evaluating state services, potentially using evidence-based policymaking, and it repeals the law that previously established an evidence-based budgeting process. It lays out who can be on the commission (House, Senate, Governor appointees, plus nonvoting Finance and LSA staff) and sets rules for terms, meetings, and leadership. It moves staff from the existing evidence-based practices team to the new commission, designates an initial director, and allows the director to hire staff and manage the commission’s budget, while requiring state agencies to share data and materials to support the commission’s work. It also authorizes the commission to pursue grants and other funding, and it specifies funding sources and appropriations, with sections taking effect at different times.

Who It Affects

• State agencies and regulatory bodies: must provide available materials and data needed by the commission, subject to privacy and federal restrictions on personally identifying information.
• Appointing authorities and commission staff: the House, Senate, and Governor appoint members; staff from the existing evidence-based practices team move to the new commission, and an initial director is chosen to lead the commission.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services to advise on evaluating state services and potentially use evidence-based policymaking; repeals Act 2018-578 which adopted an evidence-based budgeting process.
• Defines membership: 3 House members (one minority), 3 Senate members (one minority), 4 Governor appointees, plus nonvoting Director of Finance and nonvoting Deputy Director of the Legislative Services Agency staff, with diversity requirements and terms.
• Transfers staff from the Alabama Support Team for Evidence-based Practices to the commission; appoints an initial director; director oversees staff and budget; staff hiring and compensation occur within appropriations.
• Funding and operations: the commission is funded from the Legislative Services Agency’s program evaluation appropriation, may receive grants, and can contract with other entities; expenditures must follow Budget Management Act rules.
• Data sharing: state departments and agencies must provide data and materials needed by the commission, within privacy and federal limitations; commission can request data and apply for grants to support its work.
• Repeal and effective dates: repeals Act 2018-578; Sections 1-2 take immediate effect; Sections 3-6 take effect October 1, 2019.

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

Subjects

Boards and Commissions