MONTGOMERY – Some Alabama lawmakers are reintroducing a bill that would allow the governor to appoint the state’s top doctor and approve emergency orders he issues.
Senate Bill 74, introduced by Sen. Sam Givan (R-Huntsville), would allow the governor to appoint a state health officer to oversee the Alabama Department of Public Health.
The governor also has “the authority to approve or veto any statewide application proposed by the state health officer that restricts, restricts, or burdens the actions of private citizens or businesses.” .
Since the start of the 2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, some lawmakers have voiced frustration and disappointment with multiple emergency orders temporarily closing many businesses to prevent the spread of the virus. I have expressed it. Subsequently, several laws were enacted.
Givhan said the pandemic has exposed concerns about the public health system, but that’s not the main reason for the bill. He said SB74 is important because there needs to be “accountability to the public” within the office.
The state health officer is currently selected by the state Board of Public Health. The committee, by state law, is comprised primarily of leaders from the Alabama Medical Association, the state’s professional association for physicians.
Givhan also said current state health officer Dr. Scott Harris was not the reason he personally introduced the bill.
Givan’s proposal would also change the public health emergency order and would require immediate approval from the governor.
Under current law, only the ADPH can declare a public health emergency for up to 120 days, after which extensions require the governor’s approval. At the ADPH Board’s most recent meeting in December, members unanimously voted to recommend a rule change that would require the governor’s approval when declaring a public health emergency on day one. .
Givan introduced a similar bill, SB171, last year, but it was not passed. Givan described the new bill as “a little more aggressive” than last year’s proposal.
There are 13 Republican co-sponsors in the Senate.
Separately, a bill, House Bill 143, codifying the Department of Health’s proposed regulations was introduced in the House by Rep. Mark Shirley, R-Mobile.
