SB297 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Garlan GudgerSenator
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Office of Water Resources; division chief as exempt service employee, established; duties further provided
Summary: SB297 makes the Division Chief of the Alabama Office of Water Resources an exempt-service employee and clarifies the duties and appointment process for that role.
What This Bill Does
SB297 amends the governing rule to designate the division chief as an exempt-service employee and to specify the division chief’s duties. The division chief will be appointed by the director with the Governor’s approval, will report to the director, and must be knowledgeable in water resource management, development, and conservation. The position will be a Merit System employee with salary set by state law, vacancies filled in the same manner, and the director may appoint an acting division chief or temporarily assume duties before a permanent chief is chosen. The act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
Division Chief and Office of Water Resources staff: the division chief becomes exempt-service, with clarified duties and appointment/acting rules, and salary set by state law.
State Merit System employees and potential applicants for the division chief role: the division chief will be a Merit System employee, with employment terms and pay governed by state law, and the appointment process involving the director and Governor.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 9-10B-7 to designate the division chief as an exempt-service employee and to set out duties, appointment process (director with Governor's approval), reporting relations, required expertise in water resources, Merit System status, salary by state law, and vacancy/acting-chief rules.
Effective date: October 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Government Administration