HB603 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Allen Farley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Jefferson Co., Board of Equalization, election, replaces existing Board of Equalization and Adjustment, const. amend.

Summary

This bill would switch Jefferson County's Board of Equalization from appointed to elected, with specific term lengths and governance rules.

What This Bill Does

It would amend the Alabama Constitution to elect the Jefferson County Board of Equalization starting after ratification. It establishes staggered initial terms (two four-year terms and one six-year term, then all four-year terms) and requires the board to take office at the same time as county commissioners. It replaces the current Board of Equalization and Adjustment with a board that has the same powers as other boards of equalization under general law, can elect a chair from among its members, and would have salary parity with the current board unless local law changes it; elections would follow existing state election laws and ballot rules.

Who It Affects

• Jefferson County voters/residents who would vote to elect the board members and thereby influence county property tax equalization decisions.
• Jefferson County government and tax administration, as the board would gain elected status, broader powers to perform equalization duties, and office timing similar to other county boards.

Key Provisions

• Two members elected for four-year terms and one member elected for a six-year term initially, followed by four-year terms for all members.
• The Jefferson County Board of Equalization shall supersede the existing Jefferson County Board of Equalization and Adjustment and have all powers and duties of boards of equalization under general law.
• The board shall select a chair from among its members and receive the same salary as the current board unless local law provides otherwise.
• An election to approve the amendment would be held under existing constitutional and election laws, with ballot language describing the amendment and its substance.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments