SB314 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bryan Taylor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Municipalities, mayors, vacancies, procedures for filling in municipalities when president of council declines the office of mayor and remains on council, Sec. 11-43-42.1 added

Summary

In Alabama municipalities with 12,000 or more people, SB314 would let the council president decline to automatically become mayor when the office is vacant and let the council fill the vacancy from its own members or other qualified voters.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a new rule that allows the president of the council to decline to assume the mayor’s job after a vacancy occurs and to stay on the council. If the president declines, the council can choose a replacement either from its own members or from other qualified electors in the municipality, with the chosen person needing to be a qualified elector and meet all legal qualifications for mayor.

Who It Affects

• President of the council in eligible municipalities: may choose not to become mayor after a vacancy and must file a written declaration within 72 hours.
• Municipal council and general voters: if the president declines, the council fills the mayoral vacancy either from its own membership or from other qualified electors, and the appointee must meet the legal qualifications for mayor.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 11-43-42.1 to authorize the council president to decline succeeding to the mayor's office and to remain on the council, by filing a written declaration with the municipal clerk within 72 hours of the vacancy.
• If declined, the council shall fill the mayoral vacancy from its own membership or from outside the membership, unless otherwise provided by law.
• The person filled to the vacancy must be a qualified elector of the municipality and meet all legal qualifications required for the office of mayor.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and approval by the Governor (or when it becomes law by other means).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Municipalities