HB446 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David FaulknerRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Chip BrownK.L. BrownJim CarnsTerri CollinsTracy EstesJoe FaustMike HolmesSteve HurstReed IngramGil IsbellMac McCutcheonSteve McMillanCharlotte MeadowsArnold MooneyEd OliverPhillip PettusProncey RobertsonHoward SanderfordChris SellsVan SmithTim WadsworthDavid WheelerAndy WhittMargie WilcoxRich WingoDebbie Wood

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Utilities, governmental entities, prohibited from adopting or enforcing policies that prohibit the connection or reconnection of utility services

Summary

HB446 stops Alabama government bodies from blocking people or businesses from connecting to or reconnecting with utility services from providers authorized to operate in the state.

What This Bill Does

It bans governmental entities from adopting or enforcing policies that prohibit or effectively restrict the provision, connectivity, or reconnection of utility energy services based on the type of service or energy source. The ban covers electricity, natural gas, propane, and other fuels for both retail and wholesale energy service. It also allows governments to operate their own utility services for properties they own, and it ensures building permits cannot be denied solely because of the type of utility service proposed; it clarifies that Public Service Commission rules still apply and certain other allowances remain intact.

Who It Affects

• Governmental entities in Alabama (state, counties, cities, and their agencies) – cannot prohibit or enforce policies that block utility service connections or reconnections.
• Utility energy service providers authorized to do business in Alabama – protected from government policies that would block customer access to their services.
• Developers and property owners seeking building permits or subdivision approvals – cannot have permits denied solely on the type of utility service proposed.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on governmental entities adopting or enforcing policies that prohibit or effectively restrict the provision, connection, or reconnection of utility energy services based on service type or energy source.
• Exceptions and interactions: governmental entities may select or operate their own utility services for government properties; the act does not apply to municipal systems; it does not alter Public Service Commission rules or certain other existing laws related to utilities.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Utilities