§ 5-2A-63 — Savings and Loan Board; Appeals from Orders, Etc., of Commissioner or Board

(a) There is hereby created a Savings and Loan Board, consisting of the Savings and Loan Commissioner, who shall be the ex officio chairman of the board and four persons who shall be appointed by the Governor and who shall be persons with actual practical experience for at least three years in the operation and management of an institution of the savings and loan type. The members of the board shall serve without compensation; except that members shall be paid their travelling expenses in connection with the performance of their duties as members of the board plus $10.00 per diem while engaged in the performance of such duties. Such travelling expenses shall be paid out of the treasury. The board shall have such rights, powers and privileges and shall be subject to such duties as are provided by Chapter 16 of this title. The board shall maintain in the office of the commissioner permanent records of its hearings and decisions. The commissioner shall provide adequate and sufficient quarters and personnel for use by the board in connection with the performance of its business. The Governor shall appoint one member for the term of one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years, and one for a term of four years, and, thereafter, upon the expiration of such terms, members shall be appointed for a term of four years. The Governor shall fill any vacancy by the appointment of a member for the unexpired term of such member.
(b) As provided in Chapter 16 of this title, associations may appeal from certain actions of the commissioner, by filing in writing, with the secretary of the board, within 30 days after the action of the commissioner complained of, a statement of the objections taken to such action. A copy of such statement shall be simultaneously filed with the commissioner. Within 10 days after the date of any such objection, the board shall fix a date for a hearing on such objection. The objecting association and the commissioner shall be notified in writing of the date of such hearing. The date of such hearing shall not be earlier than 15 days nor later than 30 days after the date of such notice, unless the board deems an earlier hearing necessary or advisable. At such hearing, the association shall present by its attorney, a director or directors, officer or officers or other employee the reasons why it deems itself aggrieved by the action of the commissioner. The commissioner shall be heard in defense of his action. The board may permit other persons who may be concerned or affected by its decision to appear before it at any such hearing. After hearing the evidence and determining the facts, the board shall, upon the merits, either approve or disapprove the action of the commissioner.
(c) After such action, should any association be dissatisfied with any findings, ruling, order or judgment of the board, said association may within 30 days after the making and issuance thereof commence a civil action in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Alabama, against the board and commissioner as defendants, to vacate and set aside said finding, ruling or order on the ground that same is unjust and unreasonable. The rules of pleading and procedure in such civil action shall be the same as for the trial of civil actions in the circuit courts of this state, and on hearing the judge of said circuit court may set aside, modify or confirm said finding, ruling, order or judgment as the evidence may require. Appeals may be taken from the decision of the circuit court to the supreme court by either party in the same manner as is provided by law in other civil cases, but the board and commissioner may appeal without bond. Pending any such appeal, the findings, rulings, orders and judgments of the board shall be prima facie evidence that they are just and reasonable and that the facts found are true and shall remain in full force and effect. If no civil action is brought within 30 days, said finding, ruling, order or judgment shall become final and binding.

Legislative History

(Acts 1939, No. 459, p. 616; Code 1940, T. 5, §244; Acts 1943, No. 93, p. 95; Code 1975, §5-2-63.)