HB471 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chip BrownRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Local water, sewer, and fire protection authorities; prohibition on officers serving on board of directors of authority removed
Summary: HB471 would allow state and local officers to serve on the boards of local water, sewer, and fire protection authorities in Alabama.
What This Bill Does
It removes the current prohibition that prevents state or local officers from serving on the authorities' boards. Directors must still meet the county-based eligibility requirements and the basic board structure is retained, with initial three directors and six-year terms thereafter. If a municipality annexes a service area and assumes responsibilities for fire protection and sewer services (including resort areas), the board can be expanded to seven members with new municipal appointments and staggered initial terms. The act becomes effective on October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
State and local government officers who may now be eligible to serve on local authority boards.
Local water, sewer, and fire protection authorities and the counties/municipalities that govern them, including potential changes to board size and appointment processes.
Residents who are electors and own property within the service area in the relevant counties, who must meet residency and property ownership requirements to serve as directors.
Municipalities that annex service areas and take over responsibilities, as they may appoint new directors and influence board composition up to a maximum of seven members.

Key Provisions
Removes the prohibition on a state or local officer serving on the board of directors of a local water, sewer, or fire protection authority (amends Section 11-88-6).
Allows the board to be expanded to a maximum of seven members if a municipality annexes the service area and assumes duties, with new members appointed by the municipality by ordinance and initial terms staggered.
Maintains existing board structure and terms (three initial directors with staggered terms, six-year terms thereafter), eligibility as electors/residents, and director compensation and impeachment provisions.
Effective date: October 1, 2025.

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