By Executive Order of Alabama Governor Bob Riley:
WHEREAS, the Alabama iron and steel industry, historically one of the state’s leading providers of manufacturing jobs, has made a remarkable recovery over the last five years, and
WHEREAS, Alabama, which ranked fifth among the 50 states in steel production in 2006, may move into second place nationally within the next three years with added production facilities now under development, and
WHEREAS, Alabama’s primary and fabricated metal manufacturing industries provide jobs for 48,000 workers.
WHEREAS, continued growth, development and stability of new and existing iron and steel industries are vital to the state’s economy and employment outlook, and
WHEREAS, it is deemed to be in the public interest to actively promote the iron and steel industry, identify and provide solutions to problems affecting growth and to strengthen ties between steel producers and product manufacturers.
NOW THEREFORE, based upon these considerations, and for other good and valid reasons which relate thereto, I, Bob Riley, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby create the Alabama Steel Council, which shall be a public-private partnership of respected Alabamians, including steel company officials, related product manufacturers, major customers, raw materials and utility providers and public officials.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that:
1. The Council shall consist of 21 members, 19 of whom shall be appointed by the governor, including at least one from each steel manufacturing company or producer of cast iron pipe which number shall be consistent with the total number of such manufacturing companies in the state, the agency directors of the Alabama Development Office, the Department of Industrial Relations and the Alabama Department of Labor and two members from Alabama universities and colleges, public or private, provided that both a school of engineering and a school of business administration shall be represented by these two members. The governor shall also appoint one company executive from a major steel customer in the state such as the automobile industry and five members from categories including energy suppliers, coal suppliers, steel distributors and providers of raw materials or furnace products. Of the remaining two members, the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the House each shall appoint one member each from their respective houses representing iron or steel manufacturing districts.
2. Within sixty days after the signing of this executive order, the governor, the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the House, shall make their respective initial appointments to the council. Terms of office for members appointed by the governor shall be for three years from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which they were appointed. Members may be reappointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments. A member shall continue in office until his or her successor takes office. The terms of legislative members shall coincide with the quadrennial term for which they were publicly elected. Additional seats are automatically created to accommodate new steel mills moving into the state.
3. Eleven members of the council shall constitute a quorum. The council shall provide for the selection of officers, in addition to the chairman whom the governor shall initially appoint, and meet at least three times during a calendar year, either upon call of the chairman or upon the request of five or more members. Location of council meetings shall be at the call of the chair and meetings may be held around the state.
4. The organizational meeting of the council shall be held no later than 90 days after the signing of this executive order.
5. The Alabama Labor Department shall provide the council with staff assistance as may be needed. If the council determines, by a majority vote, to conduct studies or engage additional staff or office space, the funds shall be derived from contributions from the steel industry or other interested parties. The council, by majority vote, may establish a membership fee schedule.
6. Upon request, the council shall advise state and local government officials on questions and matters affecting the steel industry.
7. The council shall publish an annual report, due no later than first day of October of each year, on the condition of the Alabama iron and steel industry including energy demand and supply, economic impact, growth, plant closings or acquisitions, business generation and capital projects related to the industry. The report shall be sent to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the House, House and Senate majority and minority leaders and to the standing committees of the House and Senate to which matters concerning commerce and labor are normally referred.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this Executive Order shall become effective immediately upon its execution and shall remain in effect until amended or modified by the Governor.
DONE AND ORDERED this 13th day of February, 2008.