72 The Alabama Lawyer 124 (2011). Alabama Attorneys Complete Work at Uniform Law Conference.

• Author: By Representative Cam Ward

Alabama Lawyer

2011.

72 The Alabama Lawyer 124 (2011).

Alabama Attorneys Complete Work at Uniform Law Conference

Alabama Attorneys Complete Work at Uniform Law ConferenceBy Representative Cam WardFor the 119th time, uniform law commissioners recently gathered for a full week to discuss-and debate line by line and word by word-legislative proposals drafted by their colleagues during the year.

At its meeting in Chicago, the Uniform Law Commission (ULC) approved ten new acts dealing with issues ranging from a new law that assists mihtary and overseas voters to a new act addressing the complex issues of tenancy-in-common land ownership.

The ULC has worked for the uniformity of state laws since 1892. Originally called the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, the ULC was formed by representatives of seven states to promote uniformity among state laws. It was created to consider state law, determine in which areas of flie law uniformity is unportant and then draft uniform and model acts for consideration by the states. For well over a century, the ULC's work has brought consistency, clarity and stability to state statutory law.

Alabama joined the ULC in 1906, and since that time has enacted more than 75 uniform or model acts promulgated by the ULC, including important state statutes such as the Uniform Commercial Code, the Uniform Partnership Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. Just in 2010, Alabama enacted two new uniform acts: the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act and the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act. The Child Abduction Prevention Act was a multi-year project developed by former Alabama Justice Gorman Houston, many others in the legal community and this author.

U commissioners are appointed by every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The commissioners draft proposals for uniform laws on issues where disparity between the states is a problem. Commissioners donate their time and expertise, receiving no salary or fee for their work with the ULC. Alabama's commissioners are some of the most active members in the conference, serving on dozens of drafting committees over the years.

Alabama currently has nine uniform...