SB 275 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

City of Alabaster; entertainment districts authorized

SB 275 authorizes the City of Alabaster to establish up to two entertainment districts (each max 0.5x0.5 miles) through city council ordinance. The bill allows licensed alcohol venues within these districts to issue permits enabling patrons to carry open containers of alcohol *only within the designated district boundaries*, while prohibiting open or closed containers brought from outside the district. It requires the city council to regulate operating hours, revoke district designations, and enforce penalties for violations. This directly affects Alabaster alcohol licensees and patrons in the designated entertainment zones, effective June 1, 2026.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Signed Mar 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 3, 2026

MINOR

The bill transitioned from an introduced draft to its final enrolled version, incorporating substantive policy changes to regulate entertainment districts in Alabaster. The most significant addition is a new section allowing retail liquor licensees to obtain special permits that legally allow patrons to carry open containers of alcohol outside their specific establishment but within the designated district. The text also removed internal tracking codes and page headers used during the legislative process, replacing them with official signatures certifying the bill's passage.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include specific rules for open container laws within entertainment districts, creating a legal exception for patrons carrying alcohol between licensed venues in the designated area.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new provision allowing retail alcohol licensees to obtain an 'entertainment district permit' that permits patrons to carry open containers of alcohol outside their specific bar or restaurant but within the district boundaries.

REQUIREMENT

Established that while patrons can carry open containers in the district, they are prohibited from entering another licensee's premises with those containers or with closed containers acquired elsewhere.

TECHNICAL

Removed internal legislative tracking codes (e.g., '2JE14KS-1') and draft headers, replacing them with official signatures from the Senate and House to certify the bill's final passage.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 513

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Shelby County Legislation)

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 417

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Shelby County Legislation)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors