SB317 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Innovation Corporation, staggered terms for board of directors provided

Summary

SB317 reorganizes Innovate Alabama’s board by creating staggered terms for six Governor-appointed at-large directors, adds a diversity requirement, and updates governance and open-meeting rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds six at-large directors appointed by the Governor with staggered two-year terms ending December 31 of the second year after appointment, plus the existing five ex officio directors. It imposes term limits of two consecutive terms for at-large directors and allows reappointment after at least two years away from the board. It requires diversity in appointments, designates an initial chair from the Alabama Innovation Commission leadership, and clarifies quorum, meeting, and record-keeping rules while preserving public access and travel reimbursement for directors. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Governor: will appoint six at-large directors, designate replacements, and oversee the staggered term schedule and chair appointment after the initial chair steps down.
• Ex officio directors (Governor, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, House and Senate minority caucus leaders): continue to serve while in office and may designate representatives for board meetings; counted toward quorum.
• Prospective at-large directors: individuals with the specified experience (economic development, entrepreneurship, startup funding, IP commercialization, etc.) who may be appointed and are subject to term limits and reappointment rules.
• Innovate Alabama organization and the public: governance becomes more structured with clearer terms, openness of board proceedings, and public records; board decisions require a quorum and majority vote.
• Public and taxpayers: benefit from more transparent board operations and ongoing oversight through open meetings and permanent record-keeping.

Key Provisions

• The board shall consist of five ex officio directors and six at-large directors, all voting members.
• Six at-large directors are appointed by the Governor and serve two-year terms ending on December 31 of the second year after appointment; initial terms in 2025-2027 are staggered as specified (two expiring 2025, two extended to 2026, two extended to 2027).
• At-large directors may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms and may be reappointed after at least two years without serving on the board.
• There is a diversity requirement to ensure the board reflects gender, race, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state.
• The Governor may designate an initial chair from the Alabama Innovation Commission leadership, who will serve as chair until a new chair is appointed under the board’s appointment rules.
• Quorum requires a majority of directors; vacancies do not impair the board’s ability to act; ex officio and at-large directors count toward quorum and voting.
• Directors may participate in meetings remotely, and such participation counts as presence for quorum purposes.
• Directors will not receive compensation but may be reimbursed for actual travel expenses.
• The act becomes effective 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

Authorities, Boards, & Commissions