§11-91A-4. Transfer of responsibility and control of program; membership of board.

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 36-29-14, the board shall have exclusive responsibility and control over the program as of 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2015. In order to make proper preparation to assume all responsibility and control for the program effective at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2015, the board shall be in place no later than September 1, 2014, and shall hold its organizational meeting no later than October 1, 2014. The SEIB shall be responsible for setting and conducting the initial board elections required under subsection (c) and for ensuring that all appointing authorities for board appointments as set out in subsection (c) are notified of appointments to be made pursuant to this chapter. In order to ensure that all board members are appointed or elected no later than September 1, 2014, all appointments shall be made and all elections conducted no later than August 15, 2014. All elections held after January 1, 2015, shall be conducted by the chief executive officer of the board under rules promulgated by the board.

(b) The board shall consist of members appointed or elected as set out in subsection (c) who shall serve a three-year term expiring on December 31 of the third year; provided that, in order to establish staggered terms for board members, the initial terms of office for board members shall be as set out in subsection (c). All members of the board may be re-elected or re-appointed to successive terms.

(c) The membership of the board shall consist of the following:

(1) Three members who are representatives of municipal government from municipal employer participants appointed by the Alabama League of Municipalities. Initial appointments shall be for staggered terms with one member appointed to an initial term expiring on December 31, 2015; one member appointed to an initial term expiring on December 31, 2016; and one member appointed to an initial term expiring on December 31, 2017.

(2) Three members who are representatives of county government from county employer participants appointed by the Association of County Commissions of Alabama. Initial appointments shall be for staggered terms with one member appointed to an initial term expiring on December 31, 2015; one member appointed to an initial term expiring on December 31, 2016; and one member appointed to an initial term expiring on December 31, 2017.

(3) One member who is a retired employee participating in the program appointed by the Alabama Retired Employees' Association. The member appointed pursuant to this subdivision shall serve a three-year term, provided that the retiree first appointed shall serve an initial term expiring on December 31, 2015.

(4) One member who is an active full-time employee of municipal or county government with at least 10 years of creditable coverage in the program who is elected by the full-time employees of municipalities and counties participating in the program pursuant to procedures set out in subsection (a). The member elected pursuant to this subdivision shall serve a three-year term, provided that the member first elected shall serve an initial term expiring on December 31, 2016.

(5) One member who is either an active full-time employee of an employer participant that is not a county or municipality with at least 10 years of creditable coverage in the program or a retiree participating in the program. This member shall be elected by active full-time employees of an employer participant that is not a county or municipality and retirees participating in the program pursuant to procedures set out in subsection (a). The member elected pursuant to this subdivision shall serve a three-year term, with the initial term of the member first elected expiring on December 31, 2017.

(d) Any vacancy of an elected board member prior to the expiration of his or her term shall be filled for the remainder of the term by special election provided there are at least 12 months remaining in the term. The special election shall be conducted by the chief executive officer of the board under rules and regulations promulgated by the board. Any vacancy of an appointed board member shall be filled by the original appointing authority for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(Act 2014-401, §4.)