Ala. Code § 29-4-60
The Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be separate and distinct from the Legislature, any state agency, entity, or official. The Speaker of the House of Representatives may appoint, without regard to the State Merit System law, such personnel as may be necessary to carry out the duties and functions of the office. The compensation of personnel so employed shall be fixed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with that of comparable positions established under the State Merit System pay plan. The Speaker of the House of Representatives may prescribe the duties and responsibilities of the personnel of the office. All personnel appointed pursuant to this section shall serve at the pleasure of the Speaker of the House of Representatives making the appointment.
Compensation of personnel employed pursuant to this section shall be payable as the salaries of other state employees are paid. The compensation of those personnel shall be paid from funds appropriated to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The compensation, expense allowances, or other emoluments due those personnel shall be certified by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the Comptroller who shall issue a warrant therefor from funds appropriated to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Business travel by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and by the personnel of the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be approved by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and shall be paid from funds appropriated to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall have authority to purchase, lease, or contract for equipment, supplies, and services for use by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and pay for the equipment, supplies, and services from funds appropriated to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Ala. Code § 29-4-60 (1975)