HB177 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris SellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Commerce Dept; secretary and deputy secretary salary revised

Summary

HB177 would change how the Secretary and deputy Secretaries of the Alabama Department of Commerce are paid and reorganize the department's leadership and divisions.

What This Bill Does

The Secretary's salary would be set by the Governor using the same process as other department heads. Deputy secretaries' salaries would be set by the secretary and approved by the Governor, with a cap up to $10,000 above the highest Merit System salary for department employees. The bill creates eight assistant secretaries (not subject to the Merit System) and two divisions—Business Development and Workforce Development—each led by a deputy secretary; these positions have defined pay limits and diversity requirements. It also directs pre-approval of economic development functions and allows the Governor to direct other state agencies to provide personnel, equipment, and services to support the Department, with possible reimbursement. The act includes nonsubstantive, technical updates to language and takes effect June 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Secretary of Commerce, whose salary would be set by the Governor using the standard method for department heads.
• Deputy secretaries, eight assistant secretaries, and Department of Commerce staff, whose salaries and staffing structure would be governed by the new rules (including approval processes, caps, and diversity requirements).

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 41-29-1 to revise how the Secretary of Commerce and deputy secretaries are paid.
• Secretary of Commerce salary to be set by the Governor in the same manner as other department heads.
• Deputy secretaries' salaries set by the secretary and approved by the Governor, not to exceed $10,000 above the highest Merit System salary for department employees.
• Creates eight assistant secretaries whose compensation is not subject to the Merit System and is capped at the highest Merit System level for department employees; requires diversity in their makeup.
• Establishes two divisions—Business Development Division and Workforce Development Division—each headed by a deputy secretary (outside the classified service) with salaries up to the applicable Merit System cap plus adjustments as set by the secretary and approved by the Governor.
• Pre-approval requirements for economic development functions across state government to be coordinated by the Secretary of Commerce or Governor.
• Governor may direct other state agencies to provide personnel, equipment, and services to the Department of Commerce, with reimbursement terms.
• Section includes language referencing the Alabama Community College System and the Alabama Technology Network to support workforce development.
• Effective date of June 1, 2024, and nonsubstantive, technical language updates.

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 & State Officers