Bill > SB319

This bill establishes a civil service system for the City of Helena, Alabama, effective June 1, 2026, by creating a Personnel Board composed of three members, one elected by city employees and two appointed by the mayor and city council, with specific qualifications and terms of service. The Board is tasked with adopting policies, hearing appeals on disciplinary matters, and transacting other relevant business. A Personnel Director, appointed by the mayor or contracted out, will implement the Board's policies, manage personnel records, and assist with employee programs, with the ability to be suspended or terminated by the mayor, subject to appeal to the Board. The bill also outlines the classification of city positions into "regular service" (most full-time employees) and "exempt service" (including part-time employees, elected officials, chiefs of police and fire, city attorney, and others), establishes a classification plan for all positions with detailed job descriptions and qualifications, and mandates the adoption of a pay plan based on factors like job difficulty, prevailing wages, and the city's financial condition. It details procedures for hiring, promotions, demotions, transfers, and disciplinary actions, including a probationary period for new hires and a formal appeal process to the Personnel Board for regular employees facing dismissal, demotion, or suspension, with further appeal to the circuit court on legal and evidentiary grounds. The bill also prohibits discrimination in employment based on various protected characteristics and outlines rules regarding political activity for city employees, while repealing a prior act related to the City of Helena's civil service system.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search