SB271 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald H. AllenSenator
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Municipalities, natural and manufactured gas utilities, certain fees and charges in connection with the use public streets and places restricted
Summary: SB271 stops municipalities from charging new consent fees to gas utilities for using public streets and requires voter approval to raise such charges after 2025.
What This Bill Does
Amends Section 11-49-1 to prohibit municipalities from imposing separate fees, charges, taxes, or other payments on natural or manufactured gas utilities in connection with consent to use public streets and places. For gas utilities with franchise fees, increases after December 31, 2025 are not allowed unless approved by a majority of the qualified electors at an election. Preserves existing franchise fee payments for gas utilities that are in effect as of April 28, 2009, or extensions/renewals at the same rate, and clarifies that other municipal powers remain unaffected. Effective date is June 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
Natural or manufactured gas utilities operating in Alabama municipalities, who would be protected from new consent fees and from increases in franchise fees after 2025 without voter approval.
Municipalities (cities and towns) and their residents (voters), who would be restricted in creating or increasing consent-related charges and would need voter approval for any increase after 2025.

Key Provisions
Prohibits municipalities from imposing separate fees/charges on gas utilities for consent to use streets and public places.
Cap on increases to gas franchise-fee charges after 2025, requiring majority-voter approval at an election for any increase.
Leaves existing gas franchise fees in place at current rates if already in effect as of April 28, 2009 or extended/renewed.
Preserves other government powers and non-gas-related fees to the extent allowed by law; does not affect health/safety rules or franchise-related obligations that apply to other services.
Effective date: June 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