HB147 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David FaulknerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Municipality, council-manager form of gov., council-manager act of 1982, composition of council, alternate forms, Sec. 11-43A-1.1 added; Secs. 11-43A-8, 11-43A-9, 11-43A-14, 11-43A-16, 11-43A-32 am'd

Summary

HB 147 allows certain Alabama municipalities with a mayor-council government to switch to a five- or seven-member council-manager form with a mayor elected at large.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes Class 4-8 municipalities with a mayor-council form to adopt the council-manager form with a council of five or seven members, where the mayor is elected at large and there are four or six council members either at large or from districts. If the municipality uses single-member districts for council members, it must continue with four or six district-based seats and the mayor at large. The bill also adds new rules to conform existing law to this option and to clarify which combinations of membership and election arrangements are allowed.

Who It Affects

• Class 4-8 municipalities that currently have a mayor-council form of government and may choose to adopt a five- or seven-member council-manager form with specified election arrangements (mayor at large; four or six council members either at large or from districts). If districts are used, the model requires four or six district seats and a mayor at large.
• Voters and residents of those municipalities, who would see changes in how their mayor and council are elected and how many seats exist, along with potential shifts in districting and representation.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 11-43A-1.1 authorizing Class 4-8 municipalities with a mayor-council form to adopt the council-manager form with a five- or seven-member council, including a mayor elected at large and four or six council members elected either at large or from districts; if single-member districts are used, four or six district-based seats remain with the mayor at large; adoption is governed by the article with exceptions via the council's resolution.
• Amends Sections 11-43A-8, 11-43A-9, 11-43A-14, 11-43A-16, and 11-43A-32 to conform to the new council-manager structure and to specify exceptions to the number and method of electing council members; clarifies transitional rules and district structures where applicable.
• Governs that after adoption, the council-manager form is subject to this act, with any conflicts resolved in accordance with the adopting resolution and law.
• Addresses the election of mayor pro tempore and the process for filling vacancies on the mayor and council, including different requirements for Class 6 cities and other special cases as applicable to the five- or seven-member model.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after the bill’s passage.

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

Subjects

Municipalities