SB 297 Alabama Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Office of Water Resources; division chief as exempt service employee, established; duties further provided

Senate Bill 297 (SB 297) amends existing state law regarding the Alabama Office of Water Resources. This bill changes the employment classification for the Division Chief of the office. Currently, the Division Chief is a state Merit System employee; under this bill, the position would become an employee in the exempt service. This change directly affects the hiring and employment status of the individual serving as the Division Chief for the Alabama Office of Water Resources.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Apr 3, 2025 Signed May 6, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · May 6, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was finalized and enrolled for signature, adding substantive provisions about the Division Chief of the Office of Water Resources. The changes establish the Division Chief as a state Merit System employee in the exempt service, define their qualifications, and clarify their reporting structure under the director.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include specific requirements for the Division Chief's employment status, qualifications, and reporting relationships.

REQUIREMENT

Division Chief must be a state Merit System employee in the exempt service

Division Chief must have knowledge in water resource management, development, and conservation

Division Chief reports directly to the director under direct supervision

Division Chief salary must be set in accordance with state law

TECHNICAL

Bill status changed from 'Introduced' to 'Enrolled' with final certification by Senate and House

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1101

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (State Government)

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 657

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors