SB273 Alabama 2020 Session

Under current law, the Adjutant General of the Alabama National Guard is appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate

Under current law, there is a requirement that an individual appointed as the Adjutant General must be an active officer of the National Guard, have previously served in a line position or has exercised general command authority, and be eligible for operational command positions

Under current law, officers and enlisted personnel of headquarters elements of the National Guard are selected by the Adjutant General from among active or inactive members of the National Guard

Under current law, general officers of the line are appointed by the Governor from among the active officers of the National Guard

This bill would revise the method of appointment of the Adjutant General and general officers of the line and the duties and responsibilities of the Adjutant General

This bill would remove the requirement that a person selected to serve as the Adjutant General have previously served in a line position and be an active officer in the National Guard at the time of appointment

This bill would require a person appointed Adjutant General be a citizen of the state who has served in the National Guard for a period of not less than 15 years and as a commissioned officer in the active National Guard for a period of not less than five years and is at least 30 years of age and not more than 65 years of age at the time of appointment

This bill would provide that the Adjutant General be compensated in an amount equal to the compensation due to an officer of the rank indicated on the valid commission held by the Adjutant General

This bill would further provide that a person appointed as a general officer in the National Guard would serve until the adjournment of the next regular session of the Legislature and if not confirmed by the Senate, the position would once again become vacant

This bill would allow the Governor to submit an officer for confirmation as a general officer by the Senate at any time, regardless of vacancy. The Governor could then appoint that officer as a general officer at any time prior to the expiration of that confirmation at the conclusion of the final session of the quadrennium during which the confirmation occurred

Relating to the Military Department; to amend Sections 31-2-55, 31-2-58, and 31-2-72, Code of Alabama 1975, to clarify the method of appointment of the Adjutant General of the National Guard, the appointment of general officers of the line, and the duties and responsibilities of the Adjutant General upon appointment by the Governor; to remove the requirement of service in a line position and service as an active officer in the National Guard at the time of appointment as a prerequisite for appointment as Adjutant General; to require a person appointed to Adjutant General to be a citizen of the state who has served in the National Guard for a period of not less than 15 years and as a commissioned officer in the active National Guard for a period of not less than five years prior to, and be at least 30 years of age and not more than 65 years of age at the time of appointment; to provide for the compensation of the Adjutant General; to provide that a person appointed as a general officer in the National Guard serve until the adjournment of the next regular session of the Legislature and, if not confirmed by the Senate, for the position to become vacant; and to provide that the Governor may submit an officer for confirmation as a general officer by the Senate prior to appointing that officer as a general officer.