SB5 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Department of Archives and History, composition of board and method of filling board vacancies further provided for, retroactive effect

Summary

SB5 expands the Department of Archives and History Board of Trustees to 19 members, overhauls how members are appointed, and applies retroactively to 2025.

What This Bill Does

The bill increases the board size and changes appointment methods so that members come from congressional districts and additional at‑large seats, with the Governor and legislative leaders having appointment or confirmation roles. New members have staggered initial terms (2, 4, and 6 years) and all future terms are six years, with Senate confirmation for appointments. The board must reflect statewide diversity, and vacancies are filled with predefined term rules and prompt Senate confirmation; the act includes retroactive effect to January 1, 2025 and takes effect immediately.

Who It Affects

• Candidates and current or future appointees to the Board of Trustees, who will compete for a larger slate of seats and face a multi‑source appointment and confirmation process with varying initial term lengths.
• Alabama residents served by the Department of Archives and History, whose board representation and governance may change to better reflect the state's diversity and geographic makeup.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: The Board of Trustees is increased to 19 members with a new composition and appointment process, including appointments by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and minority leaders, with Senate confirmation required for appointments.
• Provision 2: Vacancies are filled under specified rules (terms, confirmations, and whether the seat is continued until a successor is confirmed), the board must meet regularly, and the act is retroactive to January 1, 2025 with immediate effect.

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 Government