Boards and Commissions; training by Department of Examiners for certain members required

New training rules for Alabama board members

Beginning October 1, 2026, members of Alabama entities covered by the Alabama Sunset Law must complete board governance training. This includes covered departments, councils, boards, commissions, divisions, bureaus, and other entities. Cabinet members, statewide elected officials, and county or municipal governing-body members are excluded. Members serving on October 1, 2026, must finish by March 1, 2027. Members starting a term after October 1, 2026, must finish within 150 days after starting each term. The Department of Examiners of Public Accounts administers the course, which lasts at least five hours. It must be available online and can be taken online or in person. The Chief Examiner sets the curriculum in consultation with the Attorney General. Required topics include open meetings, legislative contract review, travel payments, compensation, per diem, recurring audit issues, and sound board practices. The department must keep records of each member’s completion. After completing the course, members must sign a department-provided form affirming five public-service principles. These require decisions based only on the entity’s needs and public welfare, not members’ personal, political, or financial interests. Members must also consider all members’ views before measures or proposals and avoid directing or corrupting operations against the entity’s legal duties. They must attend all meetings unless they have good cause to miss them.