SB141 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Transportation Commission, established, five members appt from five regions of dept, duties, compensation, appointment of Transportation Department director, department not subject to Budget Management Act, Secs. 23-1-21, 23-1-21.2 am'd.

Summary

SB 141 would create a State Transportation Commission of five regional appointees, move the DOT Director appointment to the Commission, and remove the department from the Budget Management Act.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a five-member State Transportation Commission appointed by the Governor from five DOT regions to oversee the department. The Commission would appoint and oversee the DOT Director and could delegate duties to the director, while the department would operate under the Commission’s authority. The bill also sets term, diversity, compensation, ethics, and conflict-of-interest rules for commissioners, defines regional regions, exempts DOT from the Budget Management Act, and requires annual reporting to the Legislature.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Alabama, through regional representation on the new commission and the commission’s oversight of the DOT.
• The five members of the State Transportation Commission (appointed from the five DOT regions) who will serve part-time, be compensated, and adhere to ethics and conflict-of-interest rules.
• The Director of the Department of Transportation, who would be appointed by the Commission, serve full-time, and operate under the Commission’s direction.
• Local governments and transportation entities, which would interact with the DOT for public transportation planning and federal/state programs.
• Companies and organizations that contract with the DOT, which would be restricted from employing or contracting with commissioners or their affiliates during service and for two years after, or face a two-year prohibition on DOT contracts.

Key Provisions

• A State Transportation Commission is created with five members appointed by the Governor from five defined DOT regions; initial term lengths vary by region (Regions 1 & 4: 2 years; Regions 2 & 5: 4 years; Region 3: 6 years) with subsequent six-year terms and no consecutive terms.
• The Commission elects a chair, sets meeting rules, and requires at least three members for a quorum; members serve part-time, cannot hold other paid offices or work in roadbuilding/related lobbying, and must follow the Alabama Ethics Law; compensation is 25% of the Governor’s cabinet pay.
• The Commission has the authority to appoint the Director of Transportation (who must dedicate full time) and to assume the DOT’s duties unless delegated; the Director is bonded and must meet specific qualifications.
• Commission members may not enter employment or contracts with entities that contract with the DOT during their term; if violated, the involved company cannot contract with the DOT for two years after the member’s term ends.
• Regions for appointments are defined and aligned with five DOT regional boundaries; the act also amends Sections 23-1-21 and 23-1-21.2 to reflect Commission appointment of the Director and to outline the Director’s duties and responsibilities.
• The Department of Transportation would be exempt from the Budget Management Act, and the act becomes effective on the first day of the governor’s next term after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Transportation Department