Alabama Department of Homeland Security

Alabama
Department of Homeland Security
Agency overview
Formed June 18, 2003

(etc.)
Type Department of Homeland Security
Jurisdiction Alabama
Headquarters Montgomery, Alabama
Agency executive Spencer Collier, Director
Parent agency United States Department of Homeland Security
Website http://www.homelandsecurity.alabama.gov/

The Alabama Department of Homeland Security (AL DHS) is a state agency with the executive branch of the Alabama State government designed to develop, coordinate, and implement of a state policy to secure the State of Alabama from terrorist threat or attack.[1][2] It was established by the Alabama Homeland Security Act of 2003 (Code of Alabama 1975, § 31-9A) which was signed on June 18, 2003 by Governor Bob Riley. The Director of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security is Spencer Collier who was appointed by Governor Robert J. Bentley December 23, 2010.[3]

Alabama is the first state in the United States to create its own legislatively enacted Cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security.

The AL DHS co-sponsored "Be Ready Camps" with the Alabama Department of Education and Governor's Office of Faith-based and community initiatives.[4][5][6]

Purpose

The purpose of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security is "to work with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the private sector, in order to develop a strategic plan to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks within the State of Alabama." It is also responsible for administering homeland security grants and coordinating all homeland security related actions within the state of Alabama.

The functions and all other activities of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security are considered functions and protected by the State of Alabama governmental immunity.[7]

Funds

As per the Alabama Homeland Security Act of 2003(Act 2003-276, p. 658, §4), the Alabama Department of Homeland Security is designated as the principal state agency to coordinate the receipt, distribution, and monitoring of all funds available from any source for the purpose of equipping, training, research, and education in regard to homeland security related items, issues, or services. The department is further designated and authorized to coordinate and establish standards for all operations and activities of the state related to homeland security efforts.[8]

The Alabama Department of Homeland Security, however, does not have any power or authority to interfere with any funds from any source specifically appropriated for the Alabama State Port Authority, the Birmingham Airport Authority, the Huntsville Airport Authority, the Mobile Airport Authority, and the Montgomery Airport Authority.[8]

Director of Alabama Department of Homeland Security

As per Alabama Homeland Security Act of 2003(Act 2003-276, p. 658, §5), the Director shall be appointed by and hold office at the pleasure of the Governor and shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate. (The first Director, James M. Walker, Jr., was not subject to confirmation by the senate). The salary of the director is set by the Governor of Alabama.[9]

The director, subject to the direction and authority of the Governor of Alabama, shall be the executive head of the department and shall be responsible to the Governor for coordinating, designing, and implementing Alabama's program for homeland security. The director shall be the principal point of contact for and to the Governor of Alabama with respect to homeland security issues.[9]

Powers and Duties of the Director

The Director of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security receives intelligence information from federal authorities relating to homeland security and ensure that, to the extent allowed by law, all appropriate and necessary intelligence and law enforcement information regarding homeland security is disseminated to and exchanged among appropriate executive departments responsible for homeland security, and where appropriate, promote the exchange of such information with county and local governments and private entities.[9]

The director has the following responsibilities:

The governor can grant additional authority, duties, and responsibilities provided that they are within (Act 2003-276, p. 658, §5).[9]

The Director cannot impose security requirements on any private sector facility that are inconsistent with existing or future requirements applicable to private sector facilities pursuant to federal law or regulations, including those adopted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the federal Department of Homeland Security or other federal agencies.[9]

Homeland Security Task Force

The Homeland Security Task Force meets at least twice each year and when convened by the Governor of Alabama for the purpose of advising the Homeland Security Director on the comprehensive plan and program for homeland security and other matters as determined by majority vote of the task force.[11]

The task force consists of the following members:[11]

(The representatives are made from a list of three nominees).

And other representatives as deemed necessary and appointed by the Governor of Alabama, and approved by the legislative oversight committee of Alabama.[11]

Division

The Alabama Department of Homeland Security is divided into four areas:

References

  1. "Section 31-9A-3". Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  2. "Section 31-9A-4". Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  3. "Alabama Department of Homeland Security". Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  4. "dept_ed-be_ready_kids". Alabama Department of Education. March 7, 2008. Archived from the original on 28 January 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  5. http://www.dhs.alabama.gov/kids.aspx
  6. http://www.dhs.alabama.gov/ppoint/be_ready_kids09.pps
  7. http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/31-9A-13.htm
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Section 31-9A-4". Act 2003-276, p. 658, §4. Alabama State Legislature. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 9.10 9.11 "Director of Homeland Security". Section 31-9A-5 , (Act 2003-276, p. 658, §5.). Alabama State Legislature. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Section 31-9A-8". Additional powers and duties. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Section 31-9A-12". Homeland Security Task Force. Alabama State Legislature. 2003. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.

External links