State Agencies

Alabama Law Enforcement AgencyALEA

cabinet

Umbrella public-safety agency created in 2015 by Act 2013-67 — absorbed Public Safety, ABI, Marine Police, and 9 other entities. Houses the Department of Public Safety (state troopers), State Bureau of Investigation, Marine Patrol, and Driver License Division.

Alabama State Council on the ArtsASCA

commission

Administers state and NEA pass-through arts grants, operates the Alabama Center for the Traditional Arts, and runs the Folk Heritage Awards.

Alcoholic Beverage Control BoardABC

commission

Operates Alabama's state-store liquor system (one of 17 control states), licenses on- and off-premise alcohol sellers, and enforces alcohol and tobacco laws.

Department of Agriculture and IndustriesADAI

cabinet

Regulates pesticides, plant and animal industry, weights and measures, and food safety. Headed by the elected Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.

Department of Archives and HistoryADAH

cabinet

The nation's first publicly funded state archives (est. 1901). Custodian of permanent state records, the Museum of Alabama, and Alabama Mosaic digital collections.

Department of Commerce

cabinet

Alabama's primary economic development agency — recruits industry, manages film office, and administers workforce development programs.

Department of Conservation and Natural ResourcesDCNR

cabinet

Manages Alabama's state parks, marine resources, state lands, wildlife and freshwater fisheries. Houses the State Lands Division (the AL functional analog of other states' Land Boards).

Department of CorrectionsADOC

cabinet

Operates Alabama's state prison system. Subject to the 2020 DOJ Statement of Interest and ongoing Eighth Amendment litigation (Braggs v. Hamm).

Department of Economic and Community AffairsADECA

cabinet

Administers federal pass-through programs (Community Development Block Grants, LIHEAP, weatherization), homeland security grants, and the State Energy Office.

Department of Environmental ManagementADEM

cabinet

Alabama EPA-delegated authority for Clean Air, Clean Water, RCRA, and Safe Drinking Water programs. Governed by the Environmental Management Commission.

Department of Finance

cabinet

Manages the state budget, accounting, debt issuance, real property management, and information services. The Finance Director is a key cabinet officer.

Department of Forensic SciencesADFS

cabinet

Provides forensic laboratory and medical examiner services statewide to law enforcement and prosecutors.

Department of Human ResourcesDHR

cabinet

Administers SNAP, TANF, child welfare and foster care, child support enforcement, and adult protective services.

Department of InsuranceALDOI

cabinet

Licenses and regulates insurance companies, agents, and bail bondsmen in Alabama. Houses the State Fire Marshal's office.

Department of LaborDOL

cabinet

Administers unemployment insurance, workers' compensation oversight, labor market information, and OSHA on-site consultation.

Department of Mental HealthADMH

cabinet

Operates state hospitals (Bryce, Mary Starke Harper, Taylor Hardin) and certifies community mental health and substance abuse providers. Subject to the Wyatt v. Stickney consent decree.

Department of Public HealthADPH

cabinet

Alabama's public health authority — disease surveillance, environmental health, vital records, food safety, and county health departments.

Department of RevenueADOR

cabinet

Administers all state taxes including income, sales, use, business privilege, and property tax (oversight role; counties assess).

Department of Senior ServicesADSS

cabinet

Designates Area Agencies on Aging, administers Older Americans Act programs, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and Medicaid waivers for the elderly.

Department of Tourism

cabinet

Promotes Alabama as a destination, operates eight welcome centers, and administers the Alabama Birding Trail and Civil Rights Trail.

Department of TransportationALDOT

cabinet

Builds and maintains Alabama's state and federal-aid highways and bridges, administers transit grants, and oversees Class I rail crossing safety.

Department of Veterans AffairsADVA

cabinet

Operates four state veterans homes, the GI Dependents Scholarship Program, and county-level veteran service offices.

Department of Youth ServicesDYS

cabinet

Operates Alabama's juvenile justice facilities and the DYS School District (the state's only special school district for adjudicated youth).

Ethics CommissionAEC

commission

Administers the Alabama Ethics Law (Ala. Code § 36-25-1 et seq.) — Statements of Economic Interest, lobbyist registration, and complaints against public officials.

Historical CommissionAHC

commission

Alabama's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) — maintains the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, administers federal historic tax credits, and manages 12 state historic sites.

Medicaid AgencyAMA

cabinet

Administers Alabama Medicaid, including the Title XIX state plan and the Integrated Care Network (regional care organizations). Alabama did NOT expand Medicaid under the ACA.

Office of the Attorney GeneralAGO

cabinet

The Attorney General is the state's chief legal officer, representing Alabama in all civil and criminal matters in which the state has an interest.

Office of the Governor

cabinet

The Governor of Alabama is the chief executive of the state, with broad authority over the executive branch under Article V of the Alabama Constitution.

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

cabinet

The Lieutenant Governor presides over the Alabama Senate and is first in line of succession to the Governor.

Office of the Secretary of StateSOS

cabinet

Alabama's chief elections officer and keeper of state records, business filings, and notary commissions.

Office of the State Auditor

cabinet

The State Auditor maintains the inventory of state property and conducts physical audits of property assigned to state agencies (Ala. Code § 36-16-1).

Office of the State Treasurer

cabinet

The State Treasurer is custodian of state funds, manages the state's cash, and administers college savings (CollegeCounts 529) and PACT programs.

Public Service CommissionPSC

commission

Regulates Alabama's investor-owned electric (Alabama Power), natural gas (Spire, AlaGasCo), telephone, and water utilities. Three commissioners elected statewide (Place 1, Place 2, President) on staggered 4-year terms.

Real Estate CommissionAREC

commission

Licenses Alabama real estate brokers and salespersons; administers the Alabama Real Estate Recovery Fund.

Securities CommissionASC

commission

Administers the Alabama Securities Act — registers securities, licenses broker-dealers and investment advisers, and conducts fraud investigations.

Soil and Water Conservation CommitteeASWCC

commission

Provides administrative and technical support to 67 county Soil and Water Conservation Districts; administers cost-share programs for agricultural BMPs.

State Banking Department

cabinet

Charters and supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, bureaus of small loans, mortgage brokers, and money transmitters in Alabama.

State Department of EducationALSDE

cabinet

K-12 administration; reports to the elected State Board of Education. Headed by the State Superintendent of Education (appointed by SBOE).

State Personnel DepartmentSPD

commission

Administers Alabama's state merit system (Ala. Code § 36-26-1 et seq.). Classifies positions, conducts examinations, and adjudicates personnel grievances.