HB85 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shane StringerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Mobile Co., personnel board for co. and muns employees, police officer and firefighter positions, pay for initial employees and lists of eligibles, Act 470, 1939 Reg. Sess., am'd.

Summary

HB 85 amends Mobile County's Civil Service rules to adjust pay for initial hires and to tighten how eligibility lists are used for hiring law enforcement and firefighter positions.

What This Bill Does

It updates the pay plan so that entry-level general positions start at the minimum rate, while employees in professional/technical non-public-safety roles may be paid up to the midrange. It changes how eligible applicants are certified, requiring the top 10 eligible names for most vacancies, and for initial law enforcement and firefighter hires, up to 10 additional names per vacancy with a 70-name cap, all lists kept in ranked order. It also strengthens appointment timelines and rules, including a 30-day requirement to fill vacancies, conditions for provisional appointments, and the ability to remove applicants after repeated rejections; it also includes a clause about at-will hiring at the Mobile County Health Department in certain cases and sets an immediate effective date once signed into law.

Who It Affects

• Employees and applicants in Mobile County's classified civil service, especially entry-level hires and initial applicants for law enforcement and firefighter positions, who would be subject to new pay rules (minimum vs midrange) and to updated certification and ranking requirements for job vacancies.
• Appointing authorities and county agencies (e.g., Mobile Police Department, Mobile County Sheriff's Office, Mobile Fire Department, and related offices) who must implement the pay plan, certify eligible lists, manage the ranking of applicants, and adhere to new appointment timelines and eligibility rules.

Key Provisions

• Establishes and amends the countywide pay plan: minimum and maximum rates for each class; allows up to the midrange for professional/technical non-public-safety positions; requires budgeting authority parity for public safety and board approval for changes.
• Pay mechanics: entry-level hires start at the minimum rate; non-public-safety professional/technical hires may be paid up to the midrange at the appointing authority's discretion; promotions grant at least two steps up to the class maximum (two steps for Mobile Fire Department promotions).
• Appointments and eligibility lists: for general vacancies, the director certifies the top 10 eligible names; for initial LEO/firefighter appointments, the director certifies the top 10 plus 10 additional per vacancy, with a hard cap of 70 names, and all lists must be ranked.
• Additional procedural rules: residency qualifications, time limits (appoint within 30 days), extensions only with approval, provisional appointments if needed, and removal of names after three rejections; vacancies cannot be filled outside the act's provisions.
• Health Department provision: after July 1, 2004, may hire and fire certain at-will positions for jobs not funded by state/county/municipal funds.
• Effective date: the act takes effect immediately after passage and 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

Mobile County