SB204 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mark Slade Blackwell
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: SB 204 allows certain Alabama cities with a mayor-council government to switch to a council-manager system with five or seven council members, including a mayor at large, and updates related election and vacancy rules.
What This Bill Does
The bill authorizes Class 4-8 municipalities with a mayor-council form to adopt a council-manager form with five or seven council members, where the mayor is elected at large. The remaining council members would be elected either at large or from single-member districts, as determined by the city, and if districts are used the mayor remains elected at large. It also updates and aligns several existing statutes to conform to this new option, including rules for elections, districting, leadership positions like mayor pro tempore, and vacancies, with specific provisions differing for Class 6 cities that may choose a nine-member council under an alternate arrangement.

Who It Affects
Municipalities classified as Class 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 that currently have a mayor-council form of government, giving them the option to adopt the council-manager form with five or seven members.
Voters and candidates in those municipalities, because the bill changes how council members are elected (at large or by districts), who can preside as mayor pro tempore, and how vacancies are filled.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 11-43A-1.1 allowing Class 4-8 municipalities with a mayor-council government to adopt the council-manager form with a council of five or seven members, including one mayor elected at large and four or six council members elected either at large or from districts; if districts are used, the mayor remains at large.
Requires adoption by council resolution and makes the council-manager form governed by this article, with this act taking precedence over conflicting provisions in other parts of the article.
Amends Sections 11-43A-8, 11-43A-9, 11-43A-14, 11-43A-16, and 11-43A-32 to conform to the new structure and to specify exceptions regarding the number of council members and how they are elected under the council-manager form.
Provides for mayor pro tempore and vacancy rules, including the voting thresholds needed to fill vacancies (generally three votes for most cities, five votes for Class 6 with nine-member councils, and a majority of elected members for Section 11-43A-1.1 municipalities).
Outlines districting and district-post structures, including standard three districts for three district posts (and four districts with eight district posts for Class 6 cities under alternate forms), with population-based districting aims and election procedures tied to those districts.
Specifies that the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after the Governor signs it.

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