Legislation giving the governor greater flexibility in appointing one member of the Alabama Environmental Management Commission awaits Gov. Kay Ivey’s signature. 

HB 358 by Rep. Kyle South, R-Fayette, unanimously passed the Senate Wednesday, where Sen. Clay Scofield, R-Red Hill, sponsored a companion bill. The measure allows a professional geologist to serve on the seven-member panel. Current law requires the seat to be held by a certified well driller, which has created challenges in finding a qualified appointee. 

The Environmental Management Commission governs actions by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Other members include a physician, engineer, attorney, chemist or veterinarian, biologist or ecologist, and an Alabama resident with no specialized experience.