HB282 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to Jefferson County; to amend Section 45-37-232.40, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to a confidential secretary for the Sheriff of Jefferson County; to authorize the sheriff to employ a confidential secretary for the Bessemer Division.

Summary

HB282 allows the Jefferson County Sheriff to hire a confidential secretary for the Bessemer Division and sets pay, benefits, and related rules for that position.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets the Sheriff employ a confidential secretary for the Bessemer Division and sets the secretary’s pay to match the county’s other confidential secretary. The position would not be subject to the county merit system, but if the person was a county employee with merit status, their return to county service would preserve merit status and allow a position equal to or higher than their original role. The secretary would receive benefits similar to merit-system employees (including longevity pay) and could join the county pension plan within 30 days of appointment. It also bars the secretary from running for elected county office while in that role. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved.

Who It Affects

• The Jefferson County Sheriff and the Bessemer Division, who would be authorized to hire a confidential secretary for that division.
• Jefferson County employees who are part of the merit system, who could return to county service with preserved merit status if they leave for the secretary role and later return to a merit-position.
• The individual hired as the confidential secretary, who could receive county benefits and may join the county pension plan within 30 days.
• Individuals considering running for elected county office, who would be barred from doing so while employed as the sheriff’s confidential secretary.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Sheriff to employ a confidential secretary for the Bessemer Division and sets the secretary’s pay to be the same as the confidential secretary of the Jefferson County Commission.
• The confidential secretary is not subject to the county merit system, but if the employee returns to merit-system work, they may hold a position equal to or higher than their original role.
• Service time as a confidential secretary counts toward merit-system service if the employee later returns to a merit-classified job; the secretary also receives benefits including longevity pay.
• The secretary may join the Jefferson County pension plan within 30 days of employment.
• No one may run for elected county office while employed as the sheriff’s confidential secretary.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and 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

Jefferson County; sheriff authorized to employ a secretary for the Bessemer Division