Steve, there was no CAB prior to 1980, law may of been passed in 1939 but no board was established then. The board was sold as a way to take input from Alabamas citizens thru statewide meeting, then report to the Commissioner what they had found out. What I do not like is the fact that the board can write their own regulations, over the objections of the dept, and with the Gov signature , pass a new regulation.
So did something actually change in the law after 1980, or was it just that somebody decided to make the CAB role more prominent at that time? I don't remember ever hearing of a public meeting where they allowed you to speak prior to about then.
So who pushed it into the prominent role that it has now? Did Kelley do that, or was it a governor? I'm almost certain that Fob James was governor the first time I attended a meeting.