HB16 would exclude larger Alabama municipalities (12,000+ population) from the current mayor-vacancy rule and require those vacancies to be filled following the council-president procedure under Section 11-43-42(a).
If enacted, 11-44G-2 would not apply to municipalities with 12,000 or more residents. In those municipalities, a vacancy in the mayor's office would be filled according to 11-43-42(a), with the city council president succeeding to the vacancy. The bill preserves the existing vacancy rules for smaller municipalities (those under 12,000) under 11-44G-2, including potential council appointment, governor appointment, or a special election, as well as related procedures and voting requirements. It also explicitly excludes cities operating under a commission form of government and notes the effectivity date after passage and governor approval.
Pending third reading on day 14 Favorable from Governmental Affairs
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Governmental Affairs
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted Roll Call 146
Third Reading Passed
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar
Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on County and Municipal Government
Source: Alabama Legislature