HB 537 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Monroe County; senior property tax exemption, authorized; constitutional amendment

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Monroe County residents aged 65 and older to claim a senior property tax exemption on their primary single-family home. The exemption would freeze the property's assessed value at the level from the year before the exemption begins, protecting owners from future property value increases while still allowing taxes to rise if the home is expanded or improved. To qualify, homeowners must have lived in the property as their main residence for at least five years before applying, and the exemption can be claimed starting October 1, 2027. The measure requires voter approval through an election before it becomes law, and it would not affect existing homestead exemptions or changes to local tax rates.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Mar 3, 2026 Signed Mar 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 19, 2026
MODERATE
The bill text was updated from its 'Introduced' version to the final 'Enrolled' version, reflecting its passage by both the House and Senate. The substantive policy content regarding the new property tax exemption for seniors in Monroe County remains unchanged, but the document now includes official certification signatures and dates confirming the bill's approval.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; it still proposes a constitutional amendment for Monroe County to allow seniors to freeze property tax assessments.
TIMELINE

Added specific dates showing the bill passed the House on March 10, 2026, and the Senate on March 19, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Added signature lines for the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate to certify the bill's passage.

Updated the bill identifier from 'W1RBL95-1' to 'W1RBL95-2' to reflect the enrolled version.

Removed the 'Introduced' status header and replaced it with 'Enrolled' to indicate the bill has completed the legislative process.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
8
Committee
4
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Chambliss Local Certification Resolution - Adopted Roll Call 949
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 948
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Local Legislation )
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
LocalCertificationResolutionAdopted
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 806
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Local Legislation)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Thomas Jackson
Thomas Jackson
DDemocratic
AL
68