HB169 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jamie KielRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

HB169 would expand Alabama's Department of Archives and History Board of Trustees to 17 members and overhaul how they are appointed, with retroactive effect to January 1, 2025.

What This Bill Does

The bill increases the board size and changes the appointment process, creating seats from each congressional district as of January 1, 2025 and additional at-large seats. Appointments would be made by the Governor (or designee), the Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and in some cases minority leaders, with Senate confirmation for new trustees. New seats would have six-year terms (initial terms of two, four, and six years for some members), vacancies filled by the appointing authority subject to Senate confirmation, and board membership would be guided by diversity requirements; the measure also includes retroactive language and non-substantive updates to the code.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Alabama, particularly those living in each congressional district and at-large areas, whose representation on the Board of Trustees would be broadened and more diverse.
• State officials and potential appointees, including the Governor, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and minority leaders, who would gain or share appointment authority and require Senate confirmation for new trustees.

Key Provisions

• Section 41-6-3 amended to set the board at 17 voting members, with seats allocated from congressional districts (as of Jan 1, 2025) and additional at-large seats, plus the Governor or designee.
• Two additional at-large seats and an additional member from each U.S. Congressional District are created, with initial terms assigned as two, four, or six years and all subsequent terms at six years.
• Vacancies on the board are filled by the appointing authority and must be confirmed by the Senate; if the Senate rejects a nominee, the appointing authority fills the vacancy with another candidate.
• Diversity goals require the board to reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state; members serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority and are not compensated.
• Section 41-6-4 details vacancy procedures and term rules, including how successors are seated and how Senate confirmation interacts with ongoing terms.
• Retroactive effect is provided to January 1, 2025, and the act becomes effective immediately.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

State Government