AL HB177

Secretary of Commerce salary would be set by the Governor in the same manner as other appointed department heads, rather than being capped at $40,000 above the highest paid non-merit position in the department.

Deputy secretaries' salaries would be set by the Secretary of Commerce and approved by the Governor, instead of being capped at $10,000 above the highest paid non-merit position in the department.

Changes the Secretary of Commerce job description from requiring "a person possessed with extensive responsible" experience to "an individual with extensive experience" in economic, human, and physical resources development.

Updates language regarding assistant secretaries from "persons" to "individuals" and makes technical corrections throughout the statute to current code style.

Act becomes effective June 1, 2024.