HB455 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rolanda HollisRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Jefferson Co., sheriff, confidential secretary, add for Bessemer Division, Sec.45-37-232.40 am'd.

Summary

The bill lets the Jefferson County Sheriff hire confidential secretaries for the Birmingham and Bessemer Divisions, with pay, benefits, and retirement rules tied to county standards.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Sheriff to employ a confidential secretary for the Birmingham and Bessemer Divisions in lieu of an executive secretary. The position would be paid the same as the Jefferson County Commission's confidential secretary and would not be subject to the county merit system; if a current county employee takes the job, they may return to a merit-system position of equal or higher status when they leave. Service time in this role can count toward merit-system service, and the secretary would receive the same benefits as merit-system employees, including longevity pay, and could join the county pension plan if they apply within 30 days of starting. It also bars anyone from running for elected county office while employed as the sheriff's confidential secretary.

Who It Affects

• The Sheriff of Jefferson County and staff serving the Birmingham Division and Bessemer Division (who would hire and supervise a confidential secretary).
• Jefferson County employees who might become confidential secretaries, with rules about grand rules for merit-system status, return rights, and benefits.
• Jefferson County's merit system and pension plans, since the bill changes how the confidential secretary is treated under those rules.

Key Provisions

• authorizes the Sheriff to employ a confidential secretary for the Birmingham Division and the Bessemer Division in lieu of an executive secretary.
• the confidential secretary is paid the same as the Jefferson County Commission's confidential secretary and is not subject to the county merit system.
• if a current county employee becomes a confidential secretary, they may return to a merit-system position equal to or higher than their prior role when they leave.
• service time as a confidential secretary counts toward merit-system service if the employee returns to a merit position.
• the confidential secretary receives the same benefits as merit-system employees, including longevity pay.
• the confidential secretary may join the county pension plan if they apply within 30 days of starting.
• no person may run for elected county office while employed as the sheriff's confidential secretary.
• 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 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Jefferson County