AL HB247

Amends Section 23-1-26 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to authorize the Director of Transportation to appoint additional assistant counsel as necessary to conduct legal business for the State Department of Transportation.

Changes the language from "shall be authorized" to "may appoint" not more than five assistant counsel, subject to state Merit System law and approval by the Attorney General.

Requires the Director to be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state when making assistant counsel appointments.

Provides that the chief counsel and assistant counsel are commissioned as assistant attorneys general and take the oath required of other Attorney General assistants.

Takes effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor, or upon otherwise becoming law.