Board of Registrars; background checks required, authorize pay during emergencies, qualification for compensation during holidays and emergencies specified

HB 521 updates Alabama's election administration rules for county board of registrars. It requires all registrar candidates to undergo criminal background checks (including fingerprinting), increases their daily pay rate to $115, and mandates state payment for registrars during county/state/federal emergencies or holiday closures when courthouses are shut. The bill also specifies that registrars must be treated as state employees for accessing emergency relief funds (like pandemic or disaster aid) and clarifies their qualification standards (e.g., high school diploma, computer skills). These changes directly affect county election officials, county commissions managing payroll, and the state treasury funding these positions.