SB 362 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Rural areas; create a tiered rural classification schedule

This bill creates a three-tier system for classifying rural areas in Alabama based on population size, density, geographic isolation, and local economic characteristics. The tiers range from remote communities with under 2,500 residents to rural-adjacent areas with up to 20,000 residents, allowing state agencies to identify specific rural conditions rather than relying solely on countywide data. State agencies may use this classification to determine eligibility for programs, prioritize funding, adjust administrative requirements, and target resources to the most underserved communities. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and applies to municipalities, unincorporated communities, and census tracts regardless of whether they are located in metropolitan counties.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 10, 2026 Last action Apr 7, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Introduced
Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development 1st Amendment (Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development)
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development)
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Wes Kitchens
Wes Kitchens
RRepublican
AL
9