SB324 Summary

• Makes permissive rather than mandatory the Attorney General's requirement to examine state law for constitutional validity and provide opinions to state, county, and municipal officials upon request.

• Authorizes the Attorney General to accept attorney fees, expenses, and penalties only up to actual office expenses plus 10 percent (capped at $1 million annually effective October 1, 2009), with certification required to legislative finance committees and the State Budget Officer.

• Permits attorneys licensed to practice law outside Alabama to be appointed as deputy attorneys general; prohibits assistant and full-time deputy attorneys general from maintaining private law offices; increases the number of non-merit employees the Attorney General may appoint.

• Clarifies authority of the Attorney General, deputy attorneys general, and assistant attorneys general to issue subpoenas at any time (whether or not a grand jury is in session) and provides enforcement procedures through circuit court.

• Creates new Class C felony for knowingly making false statements, concealing facts, falsifying documents, or destroying evidence in any matter under investigation by the Attorney General.