House Bill 477 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

James LomaxRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Workforce Board; number of board members increased, quorum for executive committee established, participation in executive committee meeting by electronic means allowed, number of board members for regional workforce board increased

Summary

HB477 would expand the Alabama Workforce Board and regional boards, set an executive-committee quorum, allow electronic participation in executive meetings, and update the law language.

What This Bill Does

It increases the Alabama Workforce Board size to 45 members and raises the regional boards’ cap to 25 members. It establishes a four-voting-member quorum for the Executive Committee and requires majority approval of the quorum to transact business. It allows Executive Committee members to participate electronically (including voting), counting electronic participation as present for quorum purposes. It includes non-substantive technical updates to current code language and sets an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Members and potential appointees of the Alabama Workforce Board and its Executive Committee, who will see a larger board (up to 45) and revised terms and procedures while needing to meet WIOA representation rules.
• Group 2: Regional workforce boards and their members, who will have a higher maximum membership (up to 25) and must operate under WIOA guidelines, including budgeting and regional governance requirements.

Key Provisions

• Board membership cap increased from 40 to 45 members.
• Executive Committee quorum set at four voting members with decisions made by majority of the quorum.
• Executive Committee members may participate and vote electronically, and electronic participation counts as in-person presence for quorum purposes.
• Regional workforce boards’ membership cap increased from 20 to 25 members and must align with WIOA membership requirements.
• Executive Committee composition includes seven voting members (Governor or designee, Board Chair, and five executive-level business leaders) with the Secretary of Workforce as a non-voting ex officio member.
• Executive Committee appointees serve five-year terms with initial staggered terms; no member may serve more than 10 consecutive years.
• Regional boards must submit annual budgets consistent with the Strategic Workforce Plan and be governed by WIOA rules; regional boards cannot exceed 25 members and must follow Open Meetings Act for meetings.
• Nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update code language to current style; Act becomes effective October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Authorities, Boards, & Commissions