Labor & Employment (Public Employees) in Alabama

signed · Alabama · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 568: Department of Workforce; certain child labor law fees, boiler and pressure vessel exceptions and fees, and elevator safety standards, provided for; license renewal period extended; alterations to conveyances prohibited

This bill modifies the Department of Workforce's regulations by adjusting certain fees, establishing exemptions for boiler and pressure vessel requirements, and updating elevator safety standards. It directly affects businesses and individuals operating boilers, pressure vessels, elevators, or related conveyances within the state. The legislation extends the license renewal period for certain certifications and prohibits specific alterations to conveyances to ensure continued safety compliance. The primary change involves setting a new certificate fee of fifteen dollars while streamlining regulatory requirements for covered equipment and services.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Professional Licensing Public Employees Tags Licensing

passed · Alabama · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 319: Shelby County; City of Helena, civil service system established, board, director, policies, and appeals created

SB 319 establishes a civil service system for permanent city jobs in Helena, Shelby County, replacing the 1992 civil service law. It creates a Personnel Board (with employee-elected and appointed members), appoints a director to manage personnel, and sets standardized rules for hiring, promotions, and appeals for city employees. The bill defines key terms like "regular position" and "eligible register" to ensure consistent application of hiring processes, including open-competitive recruitment and merit-based advancement. This directly affects Helena city employees, hiring managers, and applicants for city jobs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

signed · Alabama · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 252: Governor's Mansion Authority employees further provided for

SB 252, known as the Sarah Caldwell Crosby Act, clarifies that employees of Alabama's Governor's Mansion Authority are part of the unclassified service under the state's Merit System Act. This change affects how these employees are managed and their eligibility for benefits, aligning them with standard unclassified state staff. The bill also requires that any employee working for the authority as of its effective date receives payment for their accumulated leave upon separation from the job. This codifies an existing practice and ensures a specific benefit for current employees without altering future hiring rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

signed · Alabama · House Mar 13, 2026

HB 493: Shelby County; City of Helena, civil service system established, board, director, policies, and appeals created

HB 493 establishes a formal civil service system for employees in the City of Helena, Alabama, replacing the previous system under Act 92-201. It creates a personnel board (with employee-elected and city-appointed members), appoints a director to manage personnel matters, and sets up clear processes for hiring, promotions, and appeals through defined "reemployment lists" and "eligible registers." The bill directly affects Helena city employees and hiring decisions, requiring all regular positions (full-time roles lasting over six months) to follow standardized classification, testing, and compensation rules. Key provisions include prohibiting city employees from serving on the board, mandating public hearings for appeals, and defining terms like "classified service" to ensure transparent, merit-based employment practices.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees Workforce Development

in committee · Alabama · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 223: State employees, cost-of-living increase for fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026

HB 223 would provide a 2% salary increase for most Alabama state employees, effective October 1, 2026, covering those in classified/unclassified service, judicial personnel, legislative staff, and county health department employees under the state merit system. The increase applies to all eligible employees except those covered by existing labor contracts or local supplements tied to state salaries. Implementation requires state departments to revise pay plans and certify changes to the State Comptroller for processing. The bill does not create new appropriations but directs budgeting for the increase in the annual appropriations act.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Public Employees

signed · Alabama · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 154: State employees, cost-of-living increase for fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026

SB 154 would provide a 2% cost-of-living salary increase for most Alabama state employees, effective October 1, 2026. This applies to classified/unclassified state employees, judicial personnel, legislative staff, and county health department employees paid through state funds under the State Merit System. The bill excludes employees covered by existing labor contracts or local supplements tied to state salaries. Funding for the increase would be included in the annual state budget, not through this bill itself. The measure does not affect pay for employees already covered by negotiated agreements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics State Budget Public Employees

signed · Alabama · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 153: Class 8 municipalities; to authorize certain municipalities to opt out of county personnel board

HB 153 allows specific Class 8 municipalities in Alabama (with a population of 25,000+ per the last census and corporate limits spanning two counties) to opt out of their county personnel board's jurisdiction after six months' notice. If a municipality opts out, it must create its own civil service system to protect existing employees' rights and comply with federal/state anti-discrimination laws. The bill prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or political views and requires municipalities to adopt explicit anti-discrimination policies. It repeals an existing opt-out provision (Section 11-43-5.2) and confirms retroactive validity for prior actions under related legislation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

in committee · Alabama · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 294: Alabama Professional Workforce Protection Act; state list of professional careers designated; eligibility for state workforce development programs, grants, scholarships, and loan repayment mandated

HB 294, the Alabama Professional Workforce Protection Act, creates a state list of professional careers requiring advanced education or licensing - including nursing, teaching, engineering, healthcare, and accounting - and mandates that individuals in these fields become eligible for existing state workforce development programs, scholarships, and loan repayment initiatives. The bill specifically includes occupations like registered nurses, teachers, mental health counselors, and licensed engineers, which were excluded from federal professional classifications. It requires state agencies to recognize these professions in workforce planning and program eligibility without altering existing licensing board authority. The law aims to address workforce shortages by ensuring these critical professions access state-supported career development resources.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Mental Health Professional Licensing Public Employees Workforce Development

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 132: Class 8 municipalities; to authorize certain municipalities to opt out of county personnel board

SB 132 allows specific Class 8 municipalities in Alabama (with 25,000+ population and corporate limits spanning two counties) to opt out of their county personnel board's jurisdiction after providing six months' notice. If a municipality opts out, it must create its own civil service system that protects current employees' rights and prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, gender, or political views. The bill repeals a prior law that permitted similar opt-outs and confirms retroactive application for municipalities already operating under that older law. This directly affects eligible municipalities seeking greater control over local personnel decisions while maintaining employee protections.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees Tags Local Government

All labor & employment bills