SB 32 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Solid waste collection fees; veterans' benefits sole income households exempted

SB 32 expands an existing exemption for households relying solely on Social Security benefits by adding veterans' benefits as a qualifying income source for exemption from solid waste collection fees in Alabama. The bill directly affects veterans and their households whose only income comes from VA benefits, allowing them to avoid these fees without needing to apply annually like other exemptions. It amends Section 22-27-3 of the Alabama Code to include veterans' benefits in the exemption language, with minor technical updates to the statute's formatting. The change mirrors the current Social Security exemption but specifically covers benefits administered by the U.S. and Alabama Departments of Veterans Affairs.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Dec 17, 2025 Signed Apr 15, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Apr 15, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and enrolled, updating the bill number and removing the original 'Introduced' header. The core policy change expands the exemption from solid waste collection fees to include households whose sole source of income is veterans' benefits, in addition to those relying on Social Security. The bill also clarifies that this exemption is optional for counties and municipalities, which must adopt a resolution to apply it, and adds a new provision allowing counties to grant additional exemptions to low-income households (under 75% of the federal poverty level).

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from exempting only Social Security recipients to also include veterans' benefit recipients, while making the exemption opt-in for local governments.

ELIGIBILITY

Added an exemption from solid waste collection fees for households whose sole source of income is veterans' benefits.

Changed the exemption from automatic to optional; counties and municipalities must adopt a resolution to apply the veterans' benefits exemption.

Added authority for the Legislature to allow counties to grant additional exemptions to households with total income below 75% of the federal poverty level.

DEFINITION

Clarified the definition of 'veterans' benefits' to include programs for veterans, dependents, and survivors administered by federal and state agencies.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that counties cannot reduce door-to-door solid waste service without providing 60 days' notice and an opportunity for a public hearing.

TECHNICAL

Removed the original 'Introduced' header and updated the bill identifier to reflect its enrolled status.

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

Amendments

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Ross motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report - Adopted Roll Call 1350

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Gudger motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report - Adopted Roll Call 1300

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Concurs in Conference Committee Report (Conference Committee on SB32)

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

In Conference Committee

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Orr motion to Non-Concur and Appoint Conference Committee - Adopted Roll Call 1131

upper

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1183

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1182

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Introduced

County and Municipal Government Engrossed Substitute Offered (County and Municipal Government)

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House (County and Municipal Government)

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (County and Municipal Government)

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 689

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors