SB137 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Governor's Office of Minority Affairs, name changed to Alabama Office of Minority Affairs, established as a separate state agency, authorized to draft policy recommendations, merit and non-merit staff provided for, technical corrections re name change made to Historic Tax Credit Evaluating Committee, Secs. 36-13-50, 36-13-51, 36-13-53, 40-9F-38 am'd.

Summary

SB137 renames the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs to the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs, gives it policy drafting and staff hiring power, and updates the Historic Tax Credit Evaluating Committee to reflect the name change.

What This Bill Does

It renames the office and authorizes it to draft policy recommendations. It lets the director hire staff, including both Merit System and non-Merit System employees, with compensation rules and transfer of existing staff with no loss of pay or benefits. It requires the director to promote staff diversity and makes technical corrections to the Historic Tax Credit Evaluating Committee to include the MOA director.

Who It Affects

• State employees who currently work in the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs will be transferred to the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs with no loss of compensation or benefits; after the transfer, some staff will be paid under Merit System rules while others may be paid by the non-Merit System per director’s setup.
• Alabama residents, especially minority communities, who may benefit from the office's policy recommendations and advisory focus addressing education, health, economics, housing, civil rights, and related issues.

Key Provisions

• The office is renamed to the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs and continues to advise the Governor on minority issues and draft policy recommendations.
• The director may employ staff and determine their duties; existing staff are transferred with no loss of compensation/benefits; Merit System employees' compensation is limited to comparable Merit classifications, while non-Merit System staff compensation is set by the director.
• The director must ensure office staff reflect the state's racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity.
• An Advisory Board Committee on Minority Affairs is established with specified members and appointment by the Governor.
• The Historic Tax Credit Evaluating Committee's membership is updated to include the Director of the MOA and other specified officials and legislators; the committee will review, allocate, and rank credits based on established guidelines and factors, including community impact and funding sources; the Alabama Historical Commission will adopt rules for evaluating credits.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after 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

Alabama Office of Minority AffairsMinority Affairs, Alabama Office of