Ala. Code § 41-4-87
The Governor shall, upon receipt by him of the tentative budget provided for by Section 41-4-86, make provision for public hearings thereon not later than two weeks prior to the convening of the next ensuing regular business session of the Legislature. To any such public hearings on the tentative budget, the Governor shall extend invitations to and may require the attendance of the heads of all departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, agencies, offices and institutions of the state and other persons receiving or requesting state funds and the giving by them of such explanations and suggestions as they may be called upon to give or as they may desire to offer with respect to the items of requested appropriations in which they are interested. He shall also extend invitations and may require the attendance of the Budget Officer and the Comptroller and the giving by them of any information or data pertinent to the proposed budget. The Governor shall also extend invitations to the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the House and the Chairman of the Finance and Taxation Committee of the Senate of the Legislature which is then in office to be present at such hearings and to participate in such hearings through the asking of questions or the expression of opinions with regard to the items of the tentative budget. The Governor shall also extend a like invitation to the Governor-elect if such there be. The chairmen of said committees, while sitting at such hearings, shall hold the offices of budget advisors, and shall receive a per diem of $10.00 for each day in attendance at such hearings. If either chairman shall be unable to attend, the next ranking member of his committee shall act in his place.
Ala. Code § 41-4-87 (1975)