The Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board Board April 3, 2020 Meeting Minutes

With proper and required notice having been provided to the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office along with posting on the website of the Alabama Secretary of State, a meeting of the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board was held on April 3, 2020 at 2603 Wildwood Drive, Montgomery, Alabama. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to Section III Open Meeting Act of the Proclamation issued the 18th day of March, 2020, by Governor Kay Ivey (attached), attendance was also perfected by a combination of telephone conference and video conference. The meeting was called to order at 1:39 p.m. by Chairman Chris McNeil.

A quorum having been established, the following Board members were present:

District I: Chris McNeil by video/audio conferencing

District III: Barry Johnson by video/audio conferencing

District V: Victor Howard by video/audio conferencing

District VI: Jimmie Lay by video/audio conferencing

District VII: Edward Giles by video/audio conferencing

Judge: The Honorable Spiro Cheriogotis by video/audio conferencing

Circuit Clerk: The Honorable Carla Woodall by video/audio conferencing

The following Board members were not present:

District II: Gustavius Maxie

District IV: Alesia Kyser

Also present by personal/video/audio attendance was Claire Austin, Acting Executive Director; and by video/audio attendance Brenda Holden, Administrative Support.

Due to the varying methods of attendance of Board members, all voting actions of the Board were taken by a call of the roll.

The meeting was opened with prayer offered by Board Member Edward Giles.

A motion to approve the agenda was made by Carla Woodall and seconded by Spiro Cheriogotis. Motion passed unanimously.

The minutes of the March 26, 2020, were previously distributed and reviewed. A motion was made by Carla Woodall to accept the minutes and seconded by Edward Giles. Motion passed unanimously. Brenda Holden informed the Board that due to the Board not having a website summary of previous meeting was not required to be posted.

Claire Austin reported that the final version of the Rules and Regulations were due to be filed with LSA by April 20, 2020, for publication April 30, 2020. Additionally, per the Examiners of Public Accounts, there is no statutory authority by the Board to delay enactment of licensing requirements.

The latest draft of the Rules and Regulations was reviewed. Due to no current authority and the legislature not conducting business because of COVID-19, all verbiage related to licensing of bonding companies was determined should be redacted. Claire Austin reported that the application would be made available on the Board website as well as posted on all available social media applications and emailed to Circuit Clerks requested to forward to all bondsmen in their respective counties. Brenda Holden will compose a final draft in proper format and forward to Claire Austin and Carla Woodall for review. The final version will be distributed to the Board to be voted on at next meeting of the Board.

Jimmie Lay posted the latest version of the Board website, and discussion was held regarding the latest updates.

Chairman Chris McNeil set the next meeting of the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board for Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at 60 Commerce Street, Suite 1440, Montgomery, Alabama, or attendance pursuant to the March 18, 2020 Proclamation if the declaration of state of emergency is still in effect.

A report to the Board was made by Continuing Education Sub-Committee Chair Victor Howard. Discussions were held regarding continuing education, providers, subject matter, frequency of classes, how to adhere to social distancing mandates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and November 1, 2020, deadline to complete.

At 2:59 p.m., Chairman Chris McNeil left the meeting wherein Vice Chairman Jimmie Lay assumed the duties of Chair. Discussions continued regarding continuing education requirements.

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Carla Woodall and seconded by Spiro Cheriogotis. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:

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Chris McNeil
Chairman

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Carla Woodall
Secretary