HB 561 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

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

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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
Photo of Jim Carns
Jim Carns
RRepublican
AL
48