SB163 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack W. WilliamsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Mobile County; firefighting and emergency medical districts, board of trustees fills vacancies

Summary

SB163 changes how vacancies on Mobile County firefighting and emergency medical district boards are filled, including election rules, terms, and vacancy replacement procedures.

What This Bill Does

The bill sets a five-member, nonpartisan board elected by district residents, with a property-owner requirement to run. It specifies election timing (last Tuesday in March, with a runoff if needed), how unopposed candidates are declared, and initial term lengths. It updates vacancy procedures so the Mobile County Commission fills vacancies after 60 days, with a fallback for a judge of probate to call a special election after 90 days; it also authorizes the board to elect officers and operate without pay but with expense reimbursement. The act becomes effective June 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Qualified electors in the district who vote for board members
• Property owners within the district who may be eligible to run for a seat
• Current and future board members of the district
• Mobile County Commission (appointed successor trustees if a vacancy occurs)
• Judge of probate (administers elections and may call a special election)

Key Provisions

• Five-member board elected by district qualified electors; unopposed candidates declared elected by the judge of probate
• Elections held last Tuesday in March each year with a runoff if needed; nonpartisan; administered by the judge of probate; property owners may be required to hold office
• Initial term lengths: two members for two years, two for three years, one for four years; terms begin upon certification or declaration of election; incumbent trustees as of May 5, 2009 get extended until successors are chosen
• Vacancy rules: remaining trustees name a replacement to complete the term; if no vacancy filled within 60 days, Mobile County Commission appoints; if Commission fails within 90 days, the judge of probate calls a special election
• Board officers: annual election of a president and secretary from among trustees; no compensation for trustees, but reimbursement of reasonable expenses
• Effective date: June 1, 2024

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

Subjects

Mobile County