(a) There is hereby created a body to be known as the Madison County Work Release and Pretrial Release Commission, hereinafter called the commission. The commission shall be composed of eight persons, including the following: The Sheriff of Madison County, the District Attorney of the Twenty-third Judicial Circuit, a circuit judge from the Twenty-third Judicial Circuit to be appointed by the presiding judge of the circuit, a judge of the District Court of Madison County to be appointed by the presiding district court judge in Madison County, a person appointed by the Madison County Commission, a person appointed by the City Council of the City of Huntsville, the Circuit Court Clerk of Madison County, and one court administrator of the Twenty-third Judicial Circuit.

(b) The commission shall have the duty to implement this subpart and to generally superintend all administrative functions pursuant hereto, subject, however, to the provisions of duly promulgated rules of court of the circuit and district judges of Madison County. The commission shall not, however, be empowered to direct any judicial officer in the exercise of his or her judicial functions. The commission, subject to any applicable laws pertaining to the employment and dismissal of county employees, shall have the power to employ and dismiss personnel employed to carry out this subpart, except judicial officers, and to direct and supervise such personnel.

(c) The commission shall make a continuing study of all activities conducted pursuant to this subpart and shall recommend to the Legislature any changes which it deems to be appropriate in the law to carry out and facilitate the purposes of this subpart.

(d) No agreement for the merger of the work release program provided for under Section 45–45–233.20 to Section 45–45–233.24, inclusive, with any similar program operated by the State of Alabama Department of Corrections or any other department, agency, or bureau of the State of Alabama shall be effective without the approval of the commission hereby created and, unless approved by such commission, shall be of no force and effect.

(e) The commission shall be empowered to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses before the commission.

(f) The commission is hereby designated as the agency to apply for, receive, and administer any grants of funds by the United States Government or any agency thereof, the State of Alabama or any agency thereof, or any private or quasi governmental foundation, corporation, firm, or agency. All funds received to the account of the commission shall be deposited to the fund established by Section 45–45–233.23, and shall be disbursed by the Madison County Commission upon vouchers submitted by the commission.

(g) The commission shall elect a chair from among its membership and shall make its own rules for conducting its affairs. All meetings of the commission shall be in the Madison County Court House and shall be held at the call of the duly elected chair. The chair shall be required to call a meeting of the commission upon the request in writing of any three members of the commission.