HB384 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Municipalities, mayor, serving on council when municipality population increases to over 12,000 and up to 25,000 pop., procedures to determine by council after census, Sec. 11-43-2 am'd.

Summary

HB384 lets certain Alabama cities between 12,000 and 24,999 people choose, by council vote and ordinance, to keep the mayor involved in legislative functions with the council for a transitional period after census.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 11-43-2 to allow a city with a population between 12,000 and 24,999 to continue the mayor's legislative role on the council instead of the usual arrangement, through a majority-vote process and specified timing tied to census releases. It creates a 30-day window after each decennial census for the council to decide, and requires an ordinance adopted at least six months before the next general municipal election to continue that arrangement until the population reaches 25,000 or more (per the next census), with a similar option to extend in subsequent cycles.

Who It Affects

• Cities and towns in Alabama with a population between 12,000 and 24,999 (per the latest census), who may elect to keep the mayor's legislative functions on the council for specified periods.
• Mayors and city/county councils in those municipalities, who would determine via majority vote whether to maintain the current setup (mayor as part of the council) rather than a non-voting mayor.

Key Provisions

• Allows the council, by a majority vote and with the mayor, to elect to continue operating under the current framework where the mayor exercises legislative functions with the council for cities that have 12,000–24,999 inhabitants.
• Establishes timeframes: a 30-day window after the census to act, requirement for an ordinance adopted at least six months before the next general municipal election, and potential continuation until the population reaches 25,000 or more (or until the next census), with repeating opportunities to renew the arrangement.

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

Subjects

Municipalities