SB106 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes KitchensSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Commerce Department; secretary and deputy secretary salary revised

Summary

SB106 changes how the Department of Commerce sets salaries for the secretary and deputy secretaries and reorganizes its leadership structure, with an effective date of June 1, 2024.

What This Bill Does

It would allow the Governor to set the Secretary of Commerce’s salary, up to $40,000 above the department’s top merit-system salary, similar to other state department heads. It would require the Secretary to set the deputy secretaries’ salaries, with the Governor’s approval, and create two divisions (Business Development and Workforce Development) each led by a deputy secretary. It adds eight assistant secretaries who are not subject to the merit system, with compensation capped at the top merit-system level and requirements for experience and diversity. It also authorizes the Governor to direct other state departments to provide personnel and services to the Department of Commerce and requires pre-approval for certain economic development functions, with the act taking effect on June 1, 2024 and including nonsubstantive language updates.

Who It Affects

• Secretary of Commerce, deputy secretaries, and eight assistant secretaries in the Alabama Department of Commerce, affecting how their salaries are set and how they are appointed and organized.
• Other state government departments and Merit System employees, as the bill affects salary structures, interdepartmental staffing, and coordination of economic development functions.

Key Provisions

• Secretary of Commerce salary to be set by the Governor, capped at up to $40,000 above the highest merit-system salary within the department.
• Deputy secretaries' salaries to be set by the Secretary and approved by the Governor; two divisions (Business Development and Workforce Development) each headed by a deputy secretary; deputy salaries capped at up to $10,000 above the highest merit-system salary.
• Eight assistant secretaries to be employed outside the merit system; compensation not to exceed the top merit-system salary; they must have at least two years of experience in industrial/commercial development and their makeup should reflect statewide diversity.
• Governor may direct other state departments to provide personnel, equipment, and services to the Department of Commerce with terms, including reimbursement, prescribed by the Governor.
• Pre-approval of economic development functions and coordination requirements for state government functions related to commerce and economic development.
• Nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update code language to current style.
• Effective date: June 1, 2024.

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