HB495 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tracy EstesRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Marion County, board of Marion County Public Water Authority further provided for

Summary

HB495 sets up a nine-member Marion County Public Water Authority board with specific appointment rules, term lengths, and governance starting October 1, 2025.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the law to create a board of directors for the Marion County Public Water Authority, with nine members including three incorporators and six additional directors. It outlines who appoints each seat (including ex officio county engineer, firefighter association representative, elected mayors, and lawmakers from Marion County) and specifies initial term lengths that vary by seat. It also establishes term limits, compensation, removal and recall processes, vacancy procedures, impeachment rights, and allows the county to provide office space and staff; the act becomes effective October 1, 2025 and ratifies prior compensation payments.

Who It Affects

• Marion County residents who own property in the water authority service area (eligible for director roles and subject to term rules).
• County officials (Chair of the Marion County Commission and the county engineer) through ex officio and appointment roles.
• Marion County Firefighters Association and the elected mayors of all incorporated municipalities in Marion County (appointment responsibilities for seats).
• Members of the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate who serve Marion County (appointment roles and term lengths for their appointees).
• Governor (appointment authority if other appointing authorities fail to act, and for vacancies).

Key Provisions

• Establishes a nine-member Marion County Public Water Authority board: three incorporators plus six additional directors.
• Six additional directors are chosen from specific local groups, including an ex officio county engineer, a Marion County Firefighters Association representative, mayors of all municipalities, House members, Senate members (with the Senate appointee serving as chair during initial term), and two seats appointed by House members.
• Initial terms vary by seat (ranging from 2 to 6 years) with a structure intended to eventually move to four- or six-year terms; the chair position rotates with specified terms.
• No director may serve more than three consecutive four-year terms, except the chair of the county commission who is exempt.
• Directors receive compensation per meeting and expense reimbursement; the amount is set by the board’s bylaws.
• Vacancies are filled by the appointing authority that made the initial appointment, with Governor stepping in if the appointing authority fails to fill within 45 days; directors can be recalled by their appointing authority, with replacements handled similarly.
• Directors can be impeached and removed under Alabama constitutional and state-law procedures; the Marion County Commission may provide office space and staff for the authority.
• The act affirms compensation payments to board members made before October 1, 2025, and becomes effective on 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

Marion County