SB5 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Archives Department revised the composition and authorizing authority of the board

Summary

SB5 would overhaul the Archives and History Department’s Board of Trustees by creating a Governor-plus-eight at-large board appointed by the state’s top leaders and changing how vacancies are filled, with some housekeeping language updates.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the board would be composed of the Governor plus eight at-large members appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and Speaker Pro Tempore of the Senate. Vacancies would be filled by the respective appointing authorities rather than by the board itself, with new members subject to Senate confirmation. The bill also makes non-substantive, technical revisions to update the code language, and it would take effect on June 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Board members and potential appointees to the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, who would participate in a new Governor-plus-eight-at-large structure and be subject to the appointment and confirmation process.
• The four state-appointed authorities (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and Speaker Pro Tempore of the Senate) who would appoint the eight at-large members and fill vacancies, with Senate confirmation for new trustees.

Key Provisions

• Replaces the current district-based board structure with a board consisting of the Governor and eight at-large members appointed by the Governor and other top state leaders.
• Vacancies on the board would be filled by the respective appointing authorities rather than by the board itself, with Senate confirmation for new appointments.
• The board must be inclusive and reflect the state’s diversity in race, gender, geography, urban/rural status, and economic background.
• Effective date of June 1, 2024, and inclusion of non-substantive, technical revisions to update code language.

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