Alabama
Alabama Senate approves bill to place politically-appointed board in charge of archives department
The Alabama Senate approved a bill on Wednesday that puts a politically-appointed board in charge of the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH), as well as a bill that makes it easier for municipalities to fire members of a local library’s board of directors. The bills are widely seen as a response to an ADAH event last year that highlighted LGBTQ+ history in the state, as well as the presence of LGBTQ+ materials in libraries. Both bills will now go to the state’s House of Representatives.
The first bill, SB77 takes aim at the governing structure of the ADAH. Under current law, the ADAH enjoys a degree of independence from the legislature, with two members from each Congressional district and two at-large members appointed by the board themselves and confirmed by the Senate. The governor also serves as a member. The new bill, sponsored by Republican State Senator Chris Elliott, would vacate all current members and restructure the board so it is composed of nine members: the governor and 8 members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House of Representatives, and speaker pro tempore. This would mean that the ADAH would be governed by a board of political appointees from the same party, as Republicans hold all the positions mentioned in the bill.
The Alabama Senate Republican Caucus celebrated the bill in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “State-funded institutions are meant to reflect the will of the people. Yet, the Department of Archives and History has blatantly disregarded Alabama’s longstanding commitment to preserving our history and instead promoted their own social agenda.”
This is likely a reference to an event that the ADAH hosted last year as part of their “Food for Thought” lecture series. The event, “Invisible No More: Alabama’s LGBTQ+ History,” explored LGBTQ+ history in Alabama and garnered significant criticism from the state’s Republican leadership. Elliott even proposed a bill that would strip the agency of $5 million in funding over the event, although that bill did not pass.
At the time, ADAH Director Steve Murray defended the event, saying it was “neither indoctrination nor politicization.” Maigen Sullivan, who cofounded the Birmingham-based Invisible Histories Project and spoke at the event, told local media, “I really just went over things that are quite black and white. It’s just a record of history, and so I find it mind-boggling that anyone would interpret facts as a political agenda.”
There was significant opposition to SB77, despite its passage, with local media reporting that every speaker at a public hearing on Tuesday opposed the bill. One of the speakers was Delores R. Boyd, a retired attorney, former US magistrate judge and the chair of the ADAH’s current board. She questioned the need for SB77, saying:
What is the compelling problem or need warranting such a radical change? Nothing in the bill documents or even suggests any fraud, mismanagement or improprieties which implicate agency’s staff or trustees. There can be no credible complaint that the agency is not fulfilling each of the objects and purposes outlined in the originating statute.
Senator Linda Coleman-Madison (D) argued that the bill risked politicizing the state’s history, saying, “I think if we go down this slippery slope, one of these days we’re going to find out that maybe our own history or our ancestors’ history is also being taken away or not recorded accurately because we have made it a political football.”
In addition to SB77, the state Senate also passed SB10, which makes it easier for local authorities to fire members of a library’s governing board if they are unsatisfied with their performance. This comes amid a pushback against diverse literature, especially LGBTQ+ topics, and as the American Library Association expressed alarm at the increase in censorship in libraries and schools.
Alabama is one of many states that have passed legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Human Rights Campaign (HRC), an LGBTQ+ rights group, declared a state of emergency last year, echoing concerns from a UN expert that LGBTQ+ rights in the US were being “deliberately undermined” by state governments. LGBTQ+ rights in the US are falling more and more along state and partisan lines, with HRC calling Republican-controlled states “increasingly hostile to LGBTQ+ people.” State legislators introduced more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in 2023, a historic high.
Alabama
Governor Ivey Taps Glenda Allred as New Tourism Director, Announces Lee Sentell’s Retirement –
MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced the retirement of Lee Sentell, Alabama’s longest-serving Tourism Director. Governor Bob Riley originally appointed Sentell in 2003.
“Since Lee began serving at the Department of Tourism, we have grown the state’s tourism revenue from $6 billion to nearly $25 billion. Lee should certainly be commended for his passion for our state and for its many attractions,” said Governor Ivey. “From promoting Alabama’s pristine beaches to our award-winning food to Civil Rights history, space, outdoors and everything in between, Lee has always had a special way for sharing the many great facets of our state’s tourism industry. Thanks to his service, we have broken tourism records, supported more jobs for Alabama families and created significant and meaningful revenue for our state.”
Under his leadership, the Department has pioneered yearly campaigns spotlighting such diverse themes as small towns, the arts, barbecue, natural wonders, birding and the Alabama Bicentennial celebration, winning the national industry’s coveted Mercury award six times in 12 years.
“Alabama is a special state, and I have been so proud to show people all over our country and around the world all that we have to offer,” said Sentell. “Leading the state’s tourism efforts for more than two decades and serving under Governor Ivey has been the honor of my life. I look forward to Alabama’s continued growth in the years ahead.”
The Department’s U.S. Civil Rights Trail campaign received the International Travel and Tourism Award for best regional promotion at the World Travel Market in London, becoming the first U.S. state tourism agency to be honored. Most recently, Tourism helped execute Governor Ivey’s America 250 Alabama Celebration on the front steps of the Alabama State Capitol where she unveiled a massive special 250 edition of the U.S. flag.
Governor Ivey also announced she is appointing Glenda Allred to lead Tourism for the remainder of the Ivey Administration. She comes to the post from serving as Deputy State Treasurer in Treasurer Young Boozer’s Office. Glenda began state service in 2011.
“I am excited to have Glenda joining the Ivey Administration to lead our state’s tourism efforts. Before working in the executive branch, she had nearly two decades of private sector experience that included marketing and media relations,” said Governor Ivey. “Glenda will be a fantastic addition to our team as we finish strong these next six months. Alabama has a lot left to tell, and I know we can continue doing that with Glenda’s leadership.”
Allred spent 15 years in the private sector with a bank holding company managing media relations, shareholder relations, all publications to shareholders and advertising for a 72-branch franchise in Alabama.
“I am honored by Governor Ivey’s confidence and grateful for the opportunity to serve,” said Allred. “I look forward to working with the dedicated team at the Department of Tourism to advance our shared mission of improving the lives of the people of our state and all those who visit!”
She is a 1991 Huntingdon College graduate and currently serves on the Board of Trustees. Allred’s appointment is effective Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
An official headshot of Glenda Allred is attached.
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Plaintiffs have appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court after a circuit judge last week dismissed their lawsuit against Republican gubernatorial candidate Tommy Tuberville.
The suit argues Tuberville does not meet the Alabama Constitution’s eligibility requirements to serve as governor.
In the appeal filing, plaintiff’s attorney Barry Ragsdale said the issue is “whether the circuit court had subject matter jurisdiction to hear Plaintiffs’ claims.”
It is unclear when the Alabama Supreme Court will rule.
Montgomery County Circuit Judge Brooke Reid ruled July 9 that the court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case.
The plaintiffs, two Alabama voters, claim Tuberville’s primary residence is in Florida and argue he does not meet the constitutional requirement that candidates for governor be Alabama residents for at least seven years before the general election.
On June 29, Tuberville’s legal team and the plaintiffs argued the case in Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Tuberville previously cleared a challenge from fellow Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken McFeeters.
The Alabama GOP Candidate Committee unanimously ruled Tuberville is qualified to run for governor, citing documentation including an Alabama driver’s license, voting record and tax returns.
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