SB16 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

County commissions, limited home rule provisions, limited powers over certain county affairs and county programs provided for, subject to local laws, const. amend.

Summary

SB16 would amend Alabama's Constitution to let county commissions create programs to administer county affairs in specific areas within limits and subject to voter approval

What This Bill Does

Allows each county to establish programs and policies for administering county affairs in five areas: personnel, community programs, transportation, county offices, and emergency services. These programs would be limited by rules such as no new taxes, protection of private property rights, and not changing the duties of other elected officials. For operating county offices, the plan requires the written consent of the elected official in charge. Adoption would occur by a regular county commission vote after public notice and a chance for the public to speak.

Who It Affects

• County governments and officials including county commissions, elected county officials, and county employees who would gain authority to create and manage personnel systems, benefits, office operations, and related programs.
• County residents and businesses who could benefit from expanded county services such as road and facility maintenance, animal control, transportation safety, emergency services, and other county programs, without new taxes and with public notice and input.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes a constitutional amendment allowing county commissions to administer county affairs through programs policies and procedures in the listed areas subject to defined limits
• Enumerates five program areas: personnel policies and benefits; community programs for roadways facilities and animal control with farming exceptions; local transportation programs; county office operations including one stop tag programs inmate commissaries disposal of unclaimed property highway department management automation and road and bridge maintenance; and emergency assistance programs
• Includes limitations: no authority to levy or increase taxes or fees; cannot infringe private property rights; cannot limit alter or affect duties or compensation of other elected officials; operations of elected offices require consent of the appropriate official
• Requires adoption by regular county commission vote with prior public notice and opportunity for public comment

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