Bill Would Form More Efficient Department of Labor

From the Office of Alabama Senate Majority Caucus

MONTGOMERY - Last week, SB450 passed out of the committee on Governmental Affairs. The bill would merge the Department of Industrial Relations and the Department of Labor into one department.

This bill is a part of a larger initiative to streamline state government. Merging these two departments into one department of labor is a more efficient use of state resources according to Sen. Paul Sanford, the bills sponsor.

"We made a promise to the people of Alabama to streamline government agencies," Sanford said. "This is a common-sense piece of legislation that addresses a big inefficiency in our state government. Combining these two departments will allow the Department of Labor to better serve the people of Alabama."

The department of Industrial Relations administers workforce protection programs for employers and workers, including unemployment compensation, workers' compensation and labor market information. If the bill becomes law, each of these services will be offered under the Department of Labor.

"It's important that government stay accountable to the people of Alabama," Sanford said. "When we streamline processes and make common sense cuts, we are keeping that promise to our constituents."

The bill is now up for its third reading in the senate.