SB78 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: J.T. WaggonerSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Technology, Alabama Council on Advanced Technology, estab., to advise Governor and Legislature, members, duties
Summary: SB78 creates the Alabama Council on Advanced Technology and Artificial Intelligence to review and advise state leaders on technology and AI in Alabama.
What This Bill Does
The bill establishes a new council tasked with reviewing and advising the Governor and Legislature on all aspects of advanced technology and AI in the state. It sets who can serve on the council, how they are chosen, and what qualifications they must have. It also requires the council to meet regularly, handle reimbursements for expenses, and publish an annual report with recommendations. The act becomes effective one year after it passes.

Who It Affects
State government leaders and agencies (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Department of Commerce, and Department of Information Technology) who will receive the council's guidance and make policy decisions based on its recommendations.
Public higher education and Alabama residents (two appointees from public colleges/universities on the council; annual reports publicly available online) who gain representation in the council and access to its findings.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Alabama Council on Advanced Technology and Artificial Intelligence to review and advise on use and development of advanced technology and AI in the state.
Defines composition: 14 Governor-appointed members; designated ex officio Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Information Technology; 2 Lieutenant Governor appointees (one with ties to higher education); 2 House members; 2 Senate members.
Specifies qualifications for non-legislative members (expertise in AI, workforce development, technology, ethics, privacy, or computer science) and terms ( Governors appointees serve at pleasure; legislative members serve concurrent with their term).
Details meeting and governance rules (at least twice yearly; remote participation allowed; diversity requirements for appointments).
Outlines compensation (non-legislative members reimbursed for expenses; legislative members receive regular compensation and per diem/travel as applicable).
Requires an annual, electronically posted report to the Governor and Legislature with recommendations and actions for AI/technology policy.
Effective date: becomes law one year after passage.

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