HB582 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Connie C. Rowe
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Surface Mining Commission, requires commission to meet every two months or as the Governor otherwise requires, Sec. 9-16-73 am'd.
Summary: HB582 requires the Alabama Surface Mining Commission to meet every two months, with the option for more frequent meetings if needed.
What This Bill Does
It changes the meeting frequency of the Alabama Surface Mining Commission from monthly to every two months, while allowing more frequent meetings at the request of the Governor, the chair, or the director. The bill keeps the seven-member commission structure, with diversity requirements and a Governor-by-Senate-consent appointment process, including staggered initial terms. It also preserves provisions for leadership, staff hiring, and financial management, so the commission can continue to operate and enforce mining laws. Overall, the main change is in how often the commission must meet, plus the ability to call extra meetings when necessary.

Who It Affects
Commission members and staff – their meeting schedule may shift to a two-month cycle, with potential for additional meetings if deemed necessary.
Coal-producing counties, coal industry participants, and Alabama residents – oversight frequency and potential responsiveness of the commission to issues may change due to altered meeting cadence.

Key Provisions
The commission shall meet at least once every two months, except in circumstances where more frequent meetings are determined necessary by the Governor, the chair, or the director.
The commission remains a seven-member body, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, with diversity requirements and initial staggered terms (two five-year, two four-year, two three-year, one two-year; later appointments are five years).
Nominees must file verified disclosures with the Secretary of the Senate within 10 days of nomination, detailing income from coal companies, positions held, and memberships; no member may have a direct or indirect financial interest in coal mining and must recuse from related proceedings.
The commission appoints a Director (and may appoint a Deputy Director); the Director is responsible for operations but cannot promulgate or change standards, can hire staff, create divisions, and may contract for services with commission 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: Surface Mining Commission