SB255 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Gerald H. AllenWill BarfootChris ElliottSam GivhanJimmy HolleyDel MarshTim MelsonLarry StuttsTom Whatley

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

State Health Officer, order issued in response to outbreak of a disease has full force of law if approved by Governor and filed with Secretary of State in state of emergency, Sec. 22-2-8 am'd.

Summary

SB255 requires the State Health Officer's emergency health directives to be approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State before taking effect, adds a DoD event exemption from conflicting health laws, and updates language.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill amends the health code to require any emergency rule, order, or directive from the State Health Officer to have the Governor's approval and be filed with the Secretary of State before it can take effect. It also creates an exemption for events hosted for Department of Defense or armed services personnel from state and local health laws that conflict with federal health requirements. The bill preserves the State Health Officer's ability to issue individualized directives for violations of state law, and includes nonsubstantive, technical updates to modernize the code language. The act would take effect immediately after the Governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Private citizens and private businesses: any emergency health directives from the State Health Officer would require Governor approval and Secretary of State filing before they could take effect, limiting rapid enforcement of such rules.
• Entities hosting DoD/armed services events (and their attendees/workers): would be exempt from conflicting state/local health laws when federal DoD requirements apply, potentially altering how health-related rules apply at those events.

Key Provisions

• Emergency rules, orders, or directives from the State Health Officer cannot take effect unless approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State.
• An exemption for events hosted for Department of Defense or armed services personnel from conflicting state/local health laws when federal health requirements or DoD directives apply.
• The State Health Officer may still issue individualized directives for violations of state law and rules without needing Governor approval or Secretary of State filing.
• Nonsubstantive, technical revisions update existing code language to current style.
• The act becomes effective immediately after the Governor signs it.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

State Health Officer