SB77 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chris ElliottSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Archives Department, revised the composition and authorizing authority of the board
Summary: SB77 rewrites the Archives and History Board so the Governor sits as a voting member and eight at-large members are appointed by top state officials, replacing the district-based board structure.
What This Bill Does
It changes who sits on the Board of Trustees for the Department of Archives and History to include the Governor as a voting member and eight at-large members appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate. It authorizes the appointing authorities to fill vacancies (with Senate confirmation for new trustees) and sets terms designed to stagger membership (initial 2-, 4-, and 6-year terms, followed by 6-year terms). It requires the board to reflect the state's diversity and adds a scheduled increase of at-large seats by August 1, 2024. It also provides for technical updates to the code and sets an effective date of June 1, 2024.

Who It Affects
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate: gain increased appointment responsibilities and define how at-large members are chosen.
Members of the Board of Trustees (current and future): their composition, terms, and vacancy processes are reorganized, with vacancies filled by specified authorities and subject to Senate confirmation.
The Senate: required to confirm new trustees and involved in the appointment process for vacancies.
The Department of Archives and History: governance structure and leadership are updated to align with the new board composition.

Key Provisions
Board composition changed to include the Governor as a voting member and eight at-large members appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker, and President Pro Tempore.
Vacancies on the board may be filled by the respective appointing authorities, with Senate confirmation for new trustees.
New trustees receive six-year terms; initial terms for new members are staggered (two years for three members, four years for three members, six years for three members).
All subsequent appointments are six-year terms; successors serve until a new trustee is confirmed by the Senate.
The appointing authorities’ order for filling vacancies is specified, with a process designed to ensure continuity of governance.
Diversity requirements call for board appointments to reflect racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state.
On August 1, 2024, the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each select one additional at-large member for a six-year term.
Effective date of the act is June 1, 2024, with some vacancy provisions beginning January 1, 2024, and non-substantive technical updates to existing 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