1. (a) The Alabama Apprenticeship Council, which shall be composed of public and private persons representing employer and employee organizations that are familiar with apprenticeable occupations, is established. All appointing authorities shall coordinate their appointments so that diversity of gender, race, and geographical areas is reflective of the makeup of this state. The membership of the council shall consist of all of the following:

   1. (1) The Governor, who shall serve as ex officio chair of the council.
   2. (2) The Lieutenant Governor.
   3. (3) The President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
   4. (4) The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
   5. (5) The Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System.
   6. (6) The State Superintendent of Education.
   7. (7) The Chair of the Alabama Workforce Development Board.
   8. (8) The Chair of the Alabama Workforce Council.

   9. (9) Nine members appointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the Senate, for a renewable term of service. The Governor shall assure that the membership of the council is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state. The members of the council appointed pursuant to this subdivision shall satisfy all of the following qualifications:

      1. a. Three members shall be representatives of employer organizations.
      2. b. Three members shall be public representatives who are members of employee or employer organizations.
      3. c. Three members shall be representatives of employee organizations.

2. (b) The initial term of office of the nine members appointed to the council by the Governor shall be designated at the time of initial appointment by the Governor as follows:

   1. (1) Three members, consisting of one member appointed pursuant to each of paragraphs a., b., and c. of subdivision (9) of subsection (a), shall be appointed for an initial term of one year. Successor members shall be appointed for terms of three years.
   2. (2) Three members, consisting of one member appointed pursuant to each of paragraphs a., b., and c. of subdivision (9) of subsection (a), shall be appointed for an initial term of two years. Successor members shall be appointed for terms of three years.
   3. (3) Three members, consisting of one member appointed pursuant to each of paragraphs a., b., and c. of subdivision (9) of subsection (a), shall be appointed for an initial term of three years. Successor members shall be appointed for terms of three years.
3. (c) Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the Governor. The person appointed to fill a vacancy shall possess the same qualifications as the original appointment and shall hold office for the unexpired term and until his or her successor is appointed.

4. (d) The Alabama Apprenticeship Council shall serve in a regulatory capacity to the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship for all of the following functions:

   1. (1) The approval of apprenticeship standards satisfying the requirements published in 29 C.F.R., Subtitle A, Part 29.
   2. (2) Ensuring compliance of equal employment opportunity in apprenticeship, as defined in 29 C.F.R., Subtitle A, Part 30.
   3. (3) Resolving disputes arising between the parties to an apprenticeship agreement.
   4. (4) Providing recommendations to deregister, suspend, or cancel apprenticeship programs that are not compliant with state and federal apprenticeship regulations, as published in 29 C.F.R., Subtitle A, Part 29 and Article 20 of Chapter 18 of Title 40, the Apprenticeship Tax Credit Act of 2016.
   5. (5) Providing community outreach and education on the benefits of apprenticeship.
   6. (6) Assisting in the formulation of policies that concede the effective administration of apprenticeship programs.

(Act 2019-506, §6.)