SB273 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will BarfootSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Military Dept., clarifying the method of appointment and confirmation of the Adjutant General and general officers of the National Guard, to provide for the compensation of the Adjutant General, and to revise qualifications of the Adjutant General, Secs. 31-2-55, 31-2-58, 31-2-72 am'd.

Summary

SB273 would change how Alabama’s Adjutant General and National Guard line officers are appointed, set new qualifications, and adjust compensation and Senate confirmation rules.

What This Bill Does

It removes the old requirement that the Adjutant General must have previously held a line position and be an active officer at appointment. It sets new qualifications for the Adjutant General: must be an Alabama citizen, have at least 15 years in the National Guard, at least 5 years as a commissioned officer in the active National Guard, and be 30 to 65 years old at appointment. It also fixes how the Adjutant General is paid (equal to the pay of the rank on their commission, including allowances). For general officers, it allows the Governor to submit nominees for confirmation at any time, and a general officer serves until the next regular session—if not confirmed, the position becomes vacant; if confirmed, they remain in place, with Senate confirmation still required for the appointment.

Who It Affects

• Potential Adjutant General candidates in Alabama who meet the new citizenship, service, rank, and age requirements will be eligible for appointment.
• National Guard general officers and other officers who could be nominated as general officers will be affected by the new appointment/confirmation timing rules and the vacancy provisions tied to Senate confirmation.

Key Provisions

• Amends 31-2-55 to keep selection of HQ personnel through the Adjutant General from active or inactive National Guard members.
• Amends 31-2-58 to require Adjutant General be a state citizen with at least 15 years in the National Guard, at least 5 years as a commissioned officer in the active National Guard, and age 30-65 at appointment; removes prior-line-position and active-officer-at-appointment prerequisites; allows appointment as a state staff officer and designation as a general officer with Senate advice/consent; sets compensation equal to the rank-based pay of the Adjutant General's commission.
• Amends 31-2-72 to let the Governor nominate general officers for confirmation at any time (even if no vacancy); a general officer appointed and serving remains until confirmation or until the next adjournment of the Legislature; if not confirmed, the position becomes vacant; confirmation can expire at the end of the quadrennium if not completed.

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

Subjects

Military Affairs