HB632 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Andrew SorrellAuditor
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Muscle Shoals, city bd. of ed., membs. election from city at large., qualifications, terms, comp., filling vacancies, referendum
Summary: The bill allows a local vote to switch Muscle Shoals from an appointed to an elected city Board of Education and creates a five-member at-large board with defined terms and rules.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes a referendum to decide whether the Muscle Shoals City Board of Education should be elected. If approved, it establishes a five-member board elected by place number from the city at-large, with a chair and vice chair, and sets terms that align with the city governing body. It also outlines candidate qualifications, initial election timing (in 2020), vacancy procedures, compensation, audits, and transitional provisions to move from the old board to the new elected board.

Who It Affects
Residents of Muscle Shoals who will vote in the referendum and, if elected, may run for the five at-large board seats (eligibility includes age, residency, and no felony record).
The Muscle Shoals City Board of Education and the City governing body, which would transition from an appointed board to an elected board, including how terms, vacancies, compensation, audits, and governance duties are handled.

Key Provisions
Authorizes an authorizing referendum to change from appointed to elected Muscle Shoals City Board of Education.
If approved, creates a Muscle Shoals City Board of Education with five members elected at-large by place numbers corresponding to the city governing body; includes selection of a chair and vice chair.
Members must be residents of Muscle Shoals; places adjust automatically if city election districts change; candidates must be at least 21, residency of 90 days, no felony record; initial qualification fee $100 per candidate; later fees set by the city.
Initial election to occur in 2020 (or as soon thereafter as possible); terms start the same time as city governing body terms and are four years, with subsequent elections aligned to city elections.
Vacancies on the board are filled by majority vote of the remaining members; if not filled within 30 days, the State Superintendent of Education appoints a replacement who must be a Muscle Shoals resident.
Compensation for board members is set by state law and paid from city school system funds.
An annual CPA audit of the city school system and board is required, with results made public.
The chair has specified duties such as presiding over meetings, setting agendas, ensuring public notice, maintaining order, and promoting the school system; the vice chair presides in the chair’s absence.
All property, records, and equipment transfer to the new board; existing rights of employees, contracts, and litigation remain unaffected.
The act becomes effective immediately upon governor 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: Colbert County