SB106INTRODUCED
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SB106
VE4ELVP-1
By Senator Kitchens
RFD: Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
First Read: 15-Feb-24
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5 VE4ELVP-1 02/14/2024 PMG (L)tgw 2024-713
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First Read: 15-Feb-24
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, the salary of the Secretary
of Commerce and the salaries of the deputy secretaries
of the Department of Commerce may not exceed a specific
dollar amount above the highest paid non-merit position
in the department.
This bill would provide that the salary of the
Secretary of Commerce would be set by the Governor in
the same manner as other department heads are set.
This bill would provide that the salary of the
deputy secretaries would be set by the secretary and
approved by the Governor.
This bill would also make nonsubstantive,
technical revisions to update the existing code
language to current style.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to the Department of Commerce; to amend
Section 41-29-1, Code of Alabama 1975; to revise the process
for setting the salaries of the secretary and the deputy
secretaries; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions
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secretaries; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions
to update the existing code language to current style.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 41-29-1, Code of Alabama 1975, is
amended to read as follows:
"ยง41-29-1
(a)(1) There is hereby created the Department of
Commerce within the office of the Governor and directly under
his or her supervision and control. The Department of Commerce
shall be headed by the Secretary of Commerce, who shall be a
person possessed with extensive responsible an individual with
extensive experience in development of economic, human, and
physical resources and promotion of industrial and commercial
development. The secretary shall be appointed by the Governor
and serve at his or her pleasure at a salary of any reasonable
amount not to exceed by forty thousand dollars ($40,000) the
highest authorized salary for employees of the Department of
Commerce who are subject to the Merit System law set in the
same manner as other appointed department heads under Section
36-6-6. In fixing such the secretary's salary, the Governor
shall give due consideration of the salaries of comparable
positions in other states and in private industry. All other
employees necessary to carry out the duties and functions of
the Department of Commerce shall be employed subject to the
state Merit System law. In addition to any other employees,
there may be employed a total of eight assistant secretaries
for the office, who shall not be subject to the state Merit
System law and whose compensation shall be determined by the
secretary.
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secretary.
(2) The eight additional assistant secretaries shall be
persons individuals experienced in industrial and commercial
development for at least the two years prior to their
employment. Compensation for the eight additional assistant
secretaries shall not exceed the amount of compensation paid
for the highest classification of state Merit System employees
employed by the Department of Commerce.
(3) The makeup of the assistant secretaries shall be
inclusive and should reflect the racial, gender, geographic,
urban,/rural, and economic diversity of the state.
(b) On the date determined pursuant to Section 41-29-6,
the Department of Commerce shall be comprised of the following
divisions: The Business Development Division and the Workforce
Development Division. Each division shall be headed by a
deputy secretary who shall be appointed by the Secretary of
Commerce outside of the classified service and who shall serve
at the pleasure of the secretary at a salary of any reasonable
amount not to exceed by ten thousand dollars ($10,000) the
highest authorized salary for employees of the Department of
Commerce who are subject to the Merit System law set by the
secretary and approved by the Governor . The deputy secretary
of each division shall report to the Secretary of
Commercesecretary.
(c)(1) The Governor, through the Department of
Commerce, shall encourage comprehensive and coordinated
planning and programming of the affairs of state government.
(2) All economic development functions as defined in
subdivision (12) of Section 36-25-1 or otherwise engaged in by
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subdivision (12) of Section 36-25-1 or otherwise engaged in by
any employee, department, agency, or body corporate in the
executive branch of the state shall be pre-approved by the
Secretary of Commerce or the Governor.
(d) The Governor may direct any state department or
other agency of state government directly under his or her
control and supervision to furnish the Department of Commerce
with such personnel, equipment, and services as are necessary
to enable it the Department of Commerce to carry out its
responsibilities and duties and may prescribe the terms
thereof, including reimbursement of costs thereof.
(e)(1) The Legislature finds and declares that the
Alabama Community College System consists of comprehensive
community and technical colleges and the Alabama Technology
Network, an effective workforce development initiative. The
Alabama Community College System provides a unified system of
institutions delivering excellence in academic education,
adult education, and workforce development initiatives that
are responsive to industry needs for highly specialized
training programs that help prepare entry level employees to
meet growing demands.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
chapter, the Alabama Community College System shall continue
to provide a wide range of career-technical courses and
short-term training for job-specific certifications."
Section 2. This act shall become effective on June 1,
2024.
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