SB218 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Railroad authorities, add board members and amend certificate of incorporation, authorized, Secs. 37-13-1, 37-13-4, 37-13-5, 37-13-7 am'd.
Summary: SB 218 lets railroad authorities amend their certificate of incorporation without local approval and allows certain counties to add two more board members.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, existing railroad authorities can change their certificate of incorporation by a majority vote of the board without needing consent from counties or municipalities. It also authorizes a county commission to elect two additional directors to the railroad authority's board in counties that own, lease, or control railroad property now but did not at the time of incorporation, with those directors residing in that county and serving terms aligned with existing directors.

Who It Affects
Existing railroad authorities would gain the ability to amend their certificate of incorporation by a majority vote of the board without requiring approval from any county or municipal governing body.
Qualifying counties (those that own, lease, or control railroad property for an authority but did not at incorporation) could elect two additional directors to the railroad authority's board, with residency and term rules matching other directors.

Key Provisions
The board of directors of an authority may amend its certificate of incorporation by a majority vote of all directors without the consent of any governing body of an authorizing subdivision or qualifying county; the amendment becomes effective when filed with the judge of probate in the county of the original filing.
The county commission of a qualifying county may elect two additional directors to the authority's board; these directors must reside in the respective county and their terms follow the same duration as other directors as specified in the certificate of incorporation; vacancies are filled per existing procedures and the governor may appoint after 30 days of a vacancy if needed.
Additional provisions apply to director qualifications, vacancies, quorum, and meeting procedures as already established for the board.

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