SB134 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to counties and municipalities; to amend Section 11-50-170, Code of Alabama 1975; to provide that reservoirs used for the collection or storage of water are part of a water system; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

Summary

The bill defines reservoirs used for water collection or storage as part of a water system and clarifies how water systems can be transferred between public utilities, with some technical language updates.

What This Bill Does

It adds reservoirs to the definition of a water system. It allows public corporations that own water systems to transfer those systems to another public corporation, or for municipalities to transfer to a receiving public corporation, without an election, under specific conditions determined by governing bodies. Transfers can be made with or without money, and require appropriate resolutions from the involved boards confirming the transfer is proper under law. It also updates the language to current style (non-substantive changes) and specifies when the act becomes effective.

Who It Affects

• Public water-system owning public corporations (boards and governing bodies) that may transfer or receive a water system.
• Municipalities and counties where any part of a water system is located (must pass resolutions and approve transfers).

Key Provisions

• Reservoirs used for collecting or storing water are considered part of a water system.
• Transfers of water systems between public corporations may occur without voter elections, under terms set by the governing bodies; transfer may involve payment or not.
• Transfers require resolutions by the transferring and receiving boards and a finding that the transferee is authorized to receive the transfer.
• Transfers are allowed only if each municipality containing any part of the water system adopts appropriate resolutions.
• The bill includes nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update code language to current style.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and the Governor's approval.

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

Subjects

Counties & Municipalities, provided further for the definition of water system