The bill HB141 Engrossed amends Section 11-50-313 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to increase the maximum fees for members of boards of directors for public corporations operating utilities. The maximum fee for the chair of the board is raised from $600 to $1,200 per meeting, with an annual cap of $7,200, while the fee for other board members increases from $400 to $600 per meeting, also capped at $7,200 annually. Additionally, the bill allows municipalities with populations under 5,000 to expand their board membership from five to seven members, establishing staggered initial term lengths of two, four, and six years for the new members. It also introduces technical revisions to update existing code language and clarifies that the governing body of a municipality can elect to increase board size. Moreover, the bill modifies the eligibility criteria for municipal officers serving on the board, allowing a maximum of two officers unless the board size is increased to five members, in which case up to three officers may serve. It removes previous restrictions on the election and term lengths of directors, providing more flexibility in governance. The bill also clarifies that all board members will be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred while performing their duties. Notably, it deletes subsection (f) and replaces it with (a)(4) for specific municipalities, and it ensures that amendments made by previous acts will not affect current board fees in the City of Birmingham. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 11-50-313
Engrossed: 11-50-313