FROM THE COVER employing agencies of the participating members of the system . The appointment process is set out in Ala . Code § 36-27-23 , and in addition to four ex officio trustees , it also calls for the following :
• Three members of the system to be appointed by the Governor ;
• Two vested members of the State Employee ’ s Retirement systems to be elected ;
• One retired state employee as well as one retired city , county , or public agency employee to be elected ; and
• Two elected members whose employers are participating in the system pursuant to Ala . Code § 36- 27-6 .
The Association proposes to amend the statute regarding the appointment of members to the Board of Control of the Retirement Systems of Alabama to ensure that all employing agencies participating in the system have adequate representation on the Board .
Amendment to Alabama Competitive Bid Law
Currently , counties must seek bids for the repair of heavy equipment by the manufacturer because the costs generally exceed the $ 15,000 discretionary spending limit . This constraint often makes it more difficult for county engineers to use the most practical and expedient path for repairs to heavy equipment . The Association proposes to introduce a minor amendment to the current bid law to exempt the repair of brand name equipment by the factory-authorized dealer .
ATRIP 2 : Road and Bridge Funding
In light of the state ' s deteriorating infrastructure , the Association has advocated for the Legislature to pass a new revenue measure to improve Alabama ’ s road and bridge infrastructure . Those efforts eventually became part of a larger effort that included stakeholders from across the state – with varying levels of interest and commitment to the cause . In many ways , the coalition supporting new infrastructure investments created additional barriers in the push to pass additional funding – namely , no real consensus on the best approach to do so .
For the 2017 Regular Session , the Association proposes legislation to establish the ATRIP-2 Program . This program would provide for a $ 1.2 billion bond issue dedicated to the rehabilitation and improvement of county and municipal roads and bridges . This legislation would utilize revenue from a 3-cent per gallon gasoline and diesel fuel increase as well as an increase in alternative fuel vehicle tag fees for the debt service of the bond issue .
Medicaid for Inmates
During the 2016 Regular Session , Senator Ward passed legislation to alter the Medicaid eligibility of persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections . The legislation provided for those individuals ’ Medicaid eligibility be suspended , but not terminated , so long as the individual be otherwise eligible for Medicaid benefits . This provision also allowed for the temporary reinstatement of Medicaid eligibility for care received if the individual were to be an inpatient in a medical institution for more than 24 hours .
The Association proposes to introduce legislation in the upcoming session to amend Alabama ’ s Medicaid law to also suspend Medicaid eligibility of individuals in county jails rather than terminating their Medicaid benefits .
Juvenile Justice Reform
The state ’ s juvenile justice system is costly , inefficient and in many instances , ineffective . Today , counties pay a disproportionate share of the local costs associated with juveniles entering the justice system . During the 2016 Legislative Session , the Association passed a resolution creating the Alabama Juvenile Justice Task Force to make recommendations for changes in the law that would ensure more equitable participation from state , county and municipal stakeholders in the funding and the administrative care of juvenile justice at the local level .
The Association proposes to amend current Alabama law to create a more balanced financial allocation between municipal and county governments for the housing , medical care , and transportation of juveniles participating in the juvenile justice system .
COUNTY COMMISSION | 19