SB291 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Education, Alabama Community College System, workforce reform, requires certain reporting, provides further for duties of board of trustees, Secs. 16-60-111, 16-60-111.4 am'd.

Summary

SB291 expands governance of the Alabama Community College System and creates a Workforce Reform and Alignment Act to strengthen reporting and oversight of workforce programs.

What This Bill Does

It adds an additional at-large trustee to the Board of Trustees and creates a nominating committee to assist the Governor in appointing trustees. It strengthens the board's oversight of expenditures by requiring approval of certain expenses and interim-presidency transactions, and it establishes a formal framework for appointment and governance. It creates the Workforce Reform and Alignment Act, requiring annual reports on workforce needs and peer review of programs, and it requires the Chancellor and colleges to provide extensive annual and quarterly reports to the Legislature and the board.

Who It Affects

• Board of Trustees and state leaders (Governor and Lieutenant Governor) would gain an additional at-large seat and a formal nominating process for trustee appointments.
• Colleges, the Chancellor, system staff, and the Legislature would face new and extensive reporting requirements and governance oversight, including workforce program peer reviews and alignment reporting.

Key Provisions

• Adds an additional at-large trustee to the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System.
• Creates a nominating committee to assist the Governor in appointing trustees; committee includes the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, a board trustee, and a workforce expert; submits three nominees for each vacancy; Governor appoints one with Senate confirmation; if the committee fails to submit, the Governor may appoint with Senate approval.
• Expands board authority to approve or deny certain expenditures and transactions, including expenses over $50,000 for the Chancellor or senior staff, and interim-presidency transactions over $20,000; establishes related governance rules.
• Creates the Workforce Reform and Alignment Act, requiring the Alabama Workforce Council to annually report business and industry workforce needs to the board and Legislature with a peer review of all system workforce programs; requires college and Chancellor alignment reporting.
• Requires annual and quarterly reporting by the Chancellor, senior staff, and colleges on noncredit workforce programs, program goals, enrollment and employment outcomes, pay and tenure details, consulting contracts, and funds/bond-related reporting; includes quarterly updates on interim presidencies.
• Section 1 effective three months after passage; Section 2 effective May 1, 2023.

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

Subjects

Education