SB281 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Alabama State University, board of trustees, Governor, serve as an ex officio member, selection of president and president pro tempore by membership of the board, Secs. 16-50-20, 16-50-26 am'd.

Summary

The bill changes Alabama State University's Board of Trustees by making the Governor an ex officio member (not ex officio president), requiring the board to elect its president and president pro tempore from its own members, and adjusting representation and meeting rules.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the Governor would participate on the board as an ex officio member rather than as ex officio president. The board would elect its president and president pro tempore from among its own members. The bill aims to modify representation requirements on the board, increasing flexibility in who can serve. It also outlines a nomination and appointment process for trustees, sets term limits, establishes vacancy procedures, requires annual trustee training, and clarifies meeting rules and public-notice requirements.

Who It Affects

• Alabama State University board of trustees members, as the Governor’s role changes, leadership is elected from among trustees, and terms, vacancies, and appointment procedures are clarified.
• Governor and the broader Alabama State University community (students, faculty, alumni) by altering governance structure, leadership selection, and representation requirements.

Key Provisions

• Governor shall serve as an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees (replacement of ex officio president).
• The board shall elect its president and president pro tempore from among its current members.
• Fixed representation requirements (minority/non-minority balance) are removed or modified to provide greater flexibility in board composition.
• A nominating committee (including board member, faculty senate member, student government president, business/community representatives, and alumni) shall propose three nominees for each vacancy for Senate confirmation; appointments require Governor with Senate advice and consent.
• Trustees have term limits (maximum 12 years total, typically two six-year terms) with specific holdover and retroactivity rules for vacancies and appointments.
• Vacancy procedures detail holdover terms, retroactive effective dates for appointments, and actions if nominees are not confirmed.
• Annual trustee training is required; meetings must follow established schedules, with May as the regular annual meeting to elect leadership and May/November regular meetings, plus rules for special, emergency, and remote participation
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month 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

Alabama State University