HB97 Enrolled is a legislative bill that seeks to establish a new civil service system for the City of Pelham in Shelby County, Alabama. The bill proposes to repeal previous acts and create a framework that includes a personnel board, a human resources director, and procedures for employee classification, pay, employment, retention, disciplinary processes, and appeals. The act, known as The City of Pelham Civil Service System Act, aims to ensure efficiency, economy, equal treatment, and merit-based workforce management. It specifies the composition and duties of the Pelham Personnel Board, the responsibilities of the human resources director, and the authority to administer oaths, issue subpoenas, and compel document production during investigations or hearings. The bill divides city service into regular and exempt categories, with exempt service individuals considered at-will employees. It also mandates the creation of a classification plan, maintenance of public records, and an employee handbook that must be reviewed and approved by the city council.

The bill details the rights and benefits of employees, the contents of the employee handbook, and the city council's responsibility to adopt a fair compensation plan. It outlines the process for promotions, demotions, transfers, and filling vacancies, as well as the rules for probationary periods and holiday pay. The bill also addresses the tenure of employees, listing causes for dismissal, demotion, or suspension, and the procedures for disciplinary actions, including the right of appeal for non-probationary employees. Furthermore, the bill regulates political activities of city employees, prohibits the use of city positions to influence political actions, and requires employees seeking election to public office to resign upon qualifying as a candidate. The bill preserves certain aspects of the current civil service system until they are replaced or amended and sets an effective date of October 1, 2024. An insertion notes that the Senate passed the bill on April 25, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 11-43-20
Enrolled: 11-43-20