SB39 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Keith KelleySenator
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Boards and Commissions, certain members required to complete training
Summary: SB39 would require board and commission members under Alabama's Sunset Law to complete a mandatory board governance course, administered by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.
What This Bill Does
The bill defines who counts as a board member for this requirement and applies to Sunset-Law entities, excluding cabinet members and statewide elected officials. Current board members as of October 1, 2025 must complete the course by March 1, 2026, and new term members must finish within 150 days after starting each term. The course will be at least five hours long, available online (and may be in-person), covering topics like the Open Meetings Act, the Contract Review Oversight Committee, travel and per diem rules, recurring issues from audits, and general operating procedures. Completion is recorded by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, and members must sign a form affirming key governance principles about public duty and ethical conduct.

Who It Affects
Current and future board and commission members of agencies subject to the Alabama Sunset Law (excluding cabinet members and statewide elected officials), who must complete the board governance course and meet specified deadlines.
The Department of Examiners of Public Accounts (as provider and record-keeper) and the Sunset-Law agencies they contract with to administer, track, and verify course completion.

Key Provisions
Defines board member to include members of departments, councils, boards, commissions, divisions, bureaus, or other entities subject to the Sunset Law and excludes cabinet members and statewide elected officials.
Existing board members as of October 1, 2025 must complete the course by March 1, 2026; new term members must complete within 150 days of term start.
Course must be at least five hours long and cover topics including the Alabama Open Meetings Act, the Contract Review Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee, travel/compensation/per diem, recurring issues from audits, and general operating procedures and best practices.
Course will be available online and may be conducted online or in person; completion is recorded and maintained by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.
Upon completion, board members must sign a form affirming principles about making decisions in the public interest, avoiding personal or improper interests, considering all views, avoiding improper influence, and attending meetings unless there is a good reason not to.
Effective date of the act is 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; Occupational Licensing Boards