Municipalities; imposition of new or increased taxes or fees, ordinance required
This bill requires Alabama municipalities to pass new or increased taxes and fees through a formal ordinance rather than allowing them to be imposed without this specific legislative process. It mandates that councils provide at least 30 days' public notice before holding a hearing on such tax measures, with the notice published in local newspapers and on municipal and state websites. The law also sets different voting thresholds for council approval depending on city size, requiring a majority of the entire council including the mayor for smaller towns and a majority of elected members for larger cities. These requirements take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to all municipalities in Alabama.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 3, 2026
Last action Mar 17, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (County and Municipal Government)
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (County and Municipal Government)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jim Carns
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 561
Scope: AL
Hi! I can help you understand HB 561. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline