HB161 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tommy Hanes
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Jackson Co., human sewage biosolids, application to land as fertilizer or soil amendment, prohibited, exception, const. amend.
Summary: HB 161 would add a Jackson County constitutional rule banning the land application of biosolids from treated human sewage, with an election to approve the change.
What This Bill Does
It proposes a constitutional amendment that would prevent biosolids derived from treated human sewage sludge from being applied to land as fertilizer or a soil amendment in Jackson County. The change would apply only to Jackson County. An election is required to decide whether to adopt the amendment, following state election laws, and the ballot will include a Yes/No choice. If approved, the amendment becomes part of the Alabama Constitution.

Who It Affects
Jackson County residents and landowners (including farmers) would be prohibited from applying treated human sewage biosolids to land as fertilizer or soil amendment.
Biosolids handling and agricultural service businesses operating in Jackson County (providers, haulers, and those who would supply or apply biosolids) would need to stop or change their operations in the county.

Key Provisions
Prohibits applying biosolids derived from treated human sewage sludge on land in Jackson County as fertilizer or soil amendment.
Requires an election to approve or reject the amendment, with ballot language and Yes/No options.
If approved, the constitutional amendment becomes part of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901.

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