SB336 Alabama 2022 Session

Relating to Baldwin County; to establish the South Baldwin Regional Workforce Development Authority; to provide for the composition, powers, duties, and meetings of the board of directors of the authority. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. There is created in Baldwin County the South Baldwin Regional Workforce Development Authority for the public purpose of fostering workforce development, community betterment, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and business innovation through collaboration between businesses, educational organizations, and local municipalities. The area of operation of the authority shall be in the portion of the county south of or adjacent to the road designated as Baldwin County Road 32 on the effective date of this act. Section 2. (a) All powers of the authority shall be exercised by a board of directors, which shall consist of all the following: (1) The chief executive officers of the South Alabama Chamber of Commerce and the Alabama Coastal Business Chamber, ex officio, each of whom shall be a voting member. (2) Three business members of the South Alabama Chamber of Commerce selected by the Chief Executive Officer of that chamber, each of whom shall be a voting member. (3) Three business members of the Alabama Coastal Business Chamber selected by the Chief Executive Officer of that chamber, each of whom shall be a voting member. (4) The mayors of the cities of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Foley, ex officio, each of whom shall be non-voting members. (5) Up to three additional members appointed by majority vote of the board, who shall be voting members. (b) The appointing authorities shall coordinate their appointments to ensure the membership of the board of directors is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state. (c) The appointing authorities shall make their first appointments under subdivision (2) and (3) of subsection (a) no later than 30 days following the effective date of this act. Upon the final appointment under subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (a) or upon the conclusion of the 30-day period, whichever is sooner, the initial terms of those appointed members of the board of directors shall commence. The board may not take any action until the initial terms of those appointed members of the board of directors commence pursuant to this subdivision. (d)(1) Members appointed under subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (a) shall each serve a term of three years, except that the appointing powers shall designate that one of their first appointees shall serve an initial term of one year, one shall serve an initial term of two years, and one for a term of three years, so that the terms are staggered. (2) Members appointed under subdivision (5) of subsection (a) shall serve for a term of one year from date of their appointment. (e) In the event of any vacancy in any seat that is filled by appointment, a successor shall be appointed in the same manner as the seat was previously filled, and the appointee shall serve for the remainder of the term for the seat that was vacated. Section 3. (a) The board shall hold an organizational meeting within 30 days following the commencement of the terms of the appointed members pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 2. (b)(1) At the organizational meeting, the board shall adopt bylaws and procedures not in conflict with this act or state law, to govern the conduct of the business and the affairs of the corporation and the selection of officers. (2) Upon adoption, the bylaws may only be amended by majority vote of the board of directors. (c) Prior to the conclusion of the organizational meeting, the board shall select a chairperson, a secretary, and any other officers deemed necessary within the bylaws, to each serve a term of one year. The terms of these officers shall commence upon adjournment of the organizational meeting. Section 4. (a)(1) The board of directors may exercise power of the authority by majority vote, and only upon establishment of a quorum. (2) For purposes of this act, a quorum shall be defined as two-thirds of the voting members of the board. (b) The chairperson shall preside over meetings of the board. (c)(1) The board shall meet to conduct the business of the authority on a monthly basis at a date to be set by the board, unless otherwise scheduled by the chairperson. (2) Any change of date, time, or place of the meetings of the board may occur only upon approval of the chairperson, and shall be communicated by the chairperson to all board members not less than 48 hours before the meeting. Section 5. (a) The authority may employ an executive director, who shall