Alabama Senate Bill SB45

Alabama 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/23
• Refer: 3/7/23
• Report Pass: 3/21/23
• Engrossed: 4/5/23
• Refer: 4/5/23

Caption

Relating to boards of registrars; to amend Sections 17-3-2 and 17-3-5, Code of Alabama 1975, to increase the salary of each board of registrar; to provide that a county may allow any member of the county board of registrars to participate in any health insurance program provided by the county; to further provide for the employment status of members of the boards of registrars and for regular hours of operation for the boards of registrars; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

Impact

The amendment of the salary structure and the introduction of health insurance participation highlights an effort by the legislature to recognize the important role that registrars play in the electoral process. The elevating of the salary may also positively influence recruitment and retention of registrars, potentially leading to improved operational effectiveness. Additionally, aligning registrars with other state and county employees in terms of social security and benefits could further provide a more robust support system for these officials, thereby enhancing the integrity of electoral processes.

Summary

Senate Bill 45 focuses on amending the salary and benefits of boards of registrars in the state of Alabama. The bill proposes to increase the daily salary for registrars from $80 to $100, thereby enhancing the compensation for this workforce. Alongside the salary increase, the bill allows the county commissions the option to permit any member of the board of registrars to participate in health insurance programs provided by the county. This modification could widen the access of registrars to essential health care benefits, making the position more attractive and sustainable for those serving in these roles.

Contention

While the bill was generally supported and passed with a strong majority (28-1), there may still be questions regarding the implementation and funding of these salary increases and benefits. Leaders of the county commissions would need to evaluate their budgets and the overall fiscal implications of accommodating these changes. There may be concerns from budget-conscious stakeholders regarding the sustainability of such salary increments and the potential increase in county expenditures associated with providing health insurance benefits.