HB404 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gregory Canfield

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Paul DeMarcoJack Williams

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Class 6 municipalities, council manager form of government, alternate procedure for adoption, Secs. 11-43A-3.1, 11-43A-3.2, 11-43A-7, 11-43A-8, 1143A-9, 11-43A-14, 11-43A-16, 11-43A-18, 11-43A-32 am'd.

Summary

HB404 creates a new, temporary option for Class 6 municipalities to switch to a council-manager government with a five-member, at-large city council (mayor plus four at-large members) by resolution, with a defined election timeline and operative date.

What This Bill Does

It allows a Class 6 city's governing body to call an election to adopt a council-manager form without petition. If adopted, the city would have a five-member council elected at large and would appoint a city manager to run the city, with the mayor presiding. The specific election timing requires the election to be held by early 2011 and to become operative on the first Monday in November 2012, and the provisions override conflicting laws only for the purposes of these elections and the change in government therefrom.

Who It Affects

• Class 6 municipalities' governing bodies (mayor and city council) would gain a new option to adopt a five-member at-large council by resolution, bypassing petition and referendum.
• Voters in Class 6 municipalities would decide, via the election, whether to adopt the council-manager form and, if approved, would live under the new system with an appointed city manager and revised council duties.

Key Provisions

• Adds an alternate form of government for Class 6 municipalities to adopt a five-member council (mayor and four at-large members) by resolution, without petition.
• Requires the election to be held before January 1, 2011, with the change becoming operative on the first Monday in November 2012 if approved.
• Provides that the governing body would appoint a city manager to run city operations, and that the mayor presides; the council and mayor could not direct city staff, with violations punishable as a Class C misdemeanor and possible removal.
• States that these provisions override conflicting laws only for the purposes of the specified 1983/2010 elections and adoption, and then have no further force for those purposes.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Municipalities