(a)In addition to the powers otherwise provided in this chapter, the Legislative Council shall:
(1)Approve budget requests; provide accounting services; make purchases; and provide mail distribution, property inventory, telephone service, electronic media services, recycling services, and building maintenance services for the Legislative Department and all agencies and entities therein.
(2)Allocate space in any building designated as the Alabama State House, including to the Senate and the House of Representatives; and shall have the authority to contract with an appropriate party, including, but not limited to, the Retirement Systems of Alabama, to construct and maintain a building that, upon completion, would be designated as the Alabama State House. In carrying out its responsibiliti
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(a) In addition to the powers otherwise provided in this chapter, the Legislative Council shall:
(1) Approve budget requests; provide accounting services; make purchases; and provide mail distribution, property inventory, telephone service, electronic media services, recycling services, and building maintenance services for the Legislative Department and all agencies and entities therein.
(2) Allocate space in any building designated as the Alabama State House, including to the Senate and the House of Representatives; and shall have the authority to contract with an appropriate party, including, but not limited to, the Retirement Systems of Alabama, to construct and maintain a building that, upon completion, would be designated as the Alabama State House. In carrying out its responsibilities under this subdivision, the Legislative Council may charge and collect rent from any entity allocated space in the Alabama State House at a rate set by the council. The council may establish a special fund in the State Treasury to receive funds from any source to maintain the Alabama State House property. Funds in the special fund are continuously appropriated for the exclusive use of the Legislative Council, shall be maintained separately, and shall be in addition to any other funds appropriated to the Legislative Council. Any unused funds collected by or appropriated to any entity for the maintenance of the Alabama State House property remaining at the close of the fiscal year in which they were collected or for which they were appropriated shall be transferred to the fund created pursuant to this subdivision.
(3) Maintain a website of legislative expenditures that includes, but is not limited to, the names, salaries, and expenses of the members, officers, and employees of the Legislative Department and any contracts entered into by the Legislative Council for the benefit of any entity or agency of the Legislative Department. This requirement may be met through publication of the required information on a site that discloses this information on a statewide basis for other state government entities.
(4) Maintain the computer operations of the Legislature, including management and control of the Legislative Data Center and employ a director of technology who shall oversee the operations of the Legislative Data Center and maintain all computer guidelines of the Legislative Department and all agencies and entities therein, except that production of legislative proceedings of the respective Houses shall be under the control of the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, respectively.
(5) After consulting with the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House, provide security for the Alabama State House, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and those portions of the State Capitol under the control of the Legislature, the House of Representatives, or the Senate; provided, however, that security for the Senate and House chambers, their entrances, and galleries shall be under the absolute supervision and control of the Secretary and Clerk, respectively. The Legislative Council shall also establish protocol for the cooperation between the persons providing security for the Legislature and such other law enforcement agencies as necessary.
(6) Reduce and contain the cost associated with the operation and maintenance of the Legislative Department to the fullest extent reasonably possible and practical. In accomplishing the reduction, the Legislative Council, to the fullest extent possible, shall look for methods to save public funds and contain costs.
(7) Annually review the performance of the Director of Legislative Services Agency.
(8) Employ a director of human resources who shall handle the human resources related functions for the Legislative Services Agency. The Director of Human Resources shall provide services at the direction of the Legislative Council, including providing lists of applicants for open positions and the written application for employment for each, providing assistance in the determination of salary schedules, benefits, and terms of employment, maintaining custody of records as requested, and providing consultation on employee discipline.
(b) In addition to the powers otherwise provided in this chapter, the Senate Legislative Council, upon the recommendation of the Director of Human Resources, shall establish the job classifications, salary schedules, and benefits for all employees of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there shall be a position of chief of staff who shall serve at the pleasure of the President Pro Tempore, under terms and conditions set by the President Pro Tempore. Persons who serve at the pleasure of the Senate Majority Leader and the Senate Minority Leader serve under terms and conditions set by the Senate Majority Leader and the Senate Minority Leader, respectively. Persons employed under this subsection shall be paid from funds appropriated to the Office of the President Pro Tempore at a salary or other compensation approved by the President Pro Tempore.
(c) In addition to the powers otherwise provided in this chapter, the House Legislative Council, upon the recommendation of the Director of Human Resources, shall establish the job classifications, salary schedules, and benefits for all employees of the Speaker of the House. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there shall be a position of chief of staff who shall serve at the pleasure of the Speaker, under terms and conditions set by the Speaker. Persons who serve at the pleasure of the House Majority Leader and the House Minority Leader serve under terms and conditions set by the House Majority Leader and the House Minority Leader, respectively. Persons employed under this subsection shall be paid from funds appropriated to the Office of the Speaker at a salary or other compensation approved by the Speaker.
(d) The salary schedules, benefits, and terms of employment for all staff of the Legislative Department shall be as uniform as practical.
(e) Employees of the Legislative Services Agency, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall be under the direction and control of the Director of the Legislative Services Agency, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate, respectively.
(f) The Director of the Legislative Services Agency shall annually review the performance of each employee subject to his or her supervision and report thereon to the Legislative Council.
(g) The Legislative Council, after considering in a timely manner individuals recommended for hire by the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House, shall hire joint employees of the Legislature. The Legislative Council shall use the services of the Director of Human Resources for all joint employees, including providing lists of applicants for open positions and the written application for employment for each, providing assistance in determination of job classifications, salary schedules, benefits, and terms of employment, maintaining custody of records as requested, and providing consultation on employee discipline.