HB174 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David FaulknerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Employment, Alabama Uniform Minimum Wage and Right to Work Act, prohibit local governmental entities from requiring minimum wage or other benefits

Summary

HB174 creates a statewide framework that prevents local governments from imposing wage or benefit mandates and places wage and collective bargaining regulation under state control.

What This Bill Does

Bars counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions from enforcing any employment benefit requirements (like leave or additional wages) that are not mandated by state or federal law, and voids local rules that conflict with this prohibition. Prohibits local labor peace agreements and certain bargaining restrictions, and bans local entities from requiring waivers of National Labor Relations Act rights or from imposing mandatory topics of bargaining beyond federal law. Affirms that the state owns exclusive authority to regulate collective bargaining under federal labor laws and to set wages, leave, and other employment benefits, while allowing project labor agreements only as permitted by federal law; provides a path for injunctive relief to enforce violations (including in Montgomery County courts). Excludes state employers, public schools, and certain public institutions from the act’s reach, and establishes immediate effectiveness with state-wide preemption of local ordinances.

Who It Affects

• Local counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions in Alabama, which are prohibited from requiring or enforcing employment benefits beyond state/federal law and from enacting conflicting ordinances.
• Employers and employees (including independent contractors) in Alabama, whose wages, leave, and benefits will be determined by state/federal law rather than local mandates, with the state controlling collective bargaining rules and project labor agreements.

Key Provisions

• Local governments cannot require employment benefits beyond state or federal law; conflicting local ordinances are void.
• No labor peace agreements or waivers of NLRA rights by local entities; prohibitions on mandating or restricting topics of collective bargaining outside federal law; project labor agreements permitted only as allowed by federal law.
• State retains exclusive power to regulate collective bargaining under federal labor laws and to require project labor agreements; local policies contrary to this are void and can be remedied by court injunctions.
• Exempts state employees, state public institutions, and certain local mandates related specifically to public employees from the act; act becomes effective immediately and is severable.

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

Subjects

Employment