The bill amends Sections 41-6-3 and 41-6-4 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which pertain to the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History. Key changes include the board's composition, which will now consist of one member from each congressional district as they existed on January 1, 2025, in addition to nine at-large members and the Governor or their designee. The process for filling vacancies has been revised to specify that appointing authorities will fill each vacancy, with terms defined for both congressional district and at-large positions. The bill emphasizes the importance of diversity in board membership, ensuring representation that reflects the state's racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity.

Moreover, the bill modifies the confirmation procedures for new board members and clarifies the roles of appointing authorities. It establishes that the board must hold at least one regular meeting annually, with a majority of members constituting a quorum. The Governor will serve as a voting member, and while board members will not receive compensation, they will be reimbursed for travel expenses. Additionally, the bill includes amendments to the governance structure of the department, streamlining language regarding appropriations and the director's responsibilities, and mandates the publication of historical material under the director's supervision. The bill has a retroactive effective date of January 1, 2025, and will take effect immediately upon passage, which occurred with a vote of 26 in favor and 5 against on April 17, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 41-6-3, 41-6-4
Engrossed: 41-6-3, 41-6-4