About Us
About the Commission
The Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services (ACES) advises the Legislature on the evaluation of services funded by the state.
The Legislature created ACES in 2019 to advise the Legislature and the Governor on evaluating state services, including evidence-based policymaking. In 2026, the Legislature passed Act 2026-575, which recreates ACES as a legislative department effective October 1, 2026.
ACES evaluates state agencies and their programs at the direction of the Legislative Committee on the Evaluation of Services. The committee appoints the ACES director and supervises the Commission’s work.
Read Act 2026-575 (opens in a new tab)Act 2019-517 (opens in a new tab)
What the law asks of ACES
- Evaluate programs. Conduct evaluations of state agencies and their programs, services, activities, and functions at the direction of the Legislative Committee on the Evaluation of Services.
- Set the standard. Develop and publish the evaluation standards used in ACES evaluations and in agency evaluation plans.
- Review agency plans. Approve and publish agency evaluation plans for new programs and major expansions, meaning an appropriation increase of 25 percent or more, or a significant change in who or how a program serves.
- Publish results. Publish the evaluation reports agencies submit, so legislators and the public can see how programs perform.
- Study proposals. Conduct preliminary studies of proposed or existing policies when directed by the Legislature, to inform decisions on design, cost, and feasibility.