SB272 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jack W. WilliamsSenator
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Boards of water and sewer commissioners; prohibited from restricting public recreational uses of controlled water bodies
Summary: SB272 would prohibit city boards of water and sewer commissioners from restricting public recreational use of water bodies they own or control, while updating the code language and setting an effective date.
What This Bill Does
It amends Section 11-50-343 to explicitly ban boards from restricting public recreation on water bodies they own or control, including fishing and boating. The bill preserves the boards' existing powers to operate, regulate, and finance water and sewer systems, while adding this recreational-use protection and including nonsubstantive language updates. The act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
Public recreational users (residents and visitors) who fish, boat, or otherwise use water bodies owned or controlled by boards of water and sewer commissioners; they would be guaranteed access free from board-imposed recreational restrictions.
Boards of water and sewer commissioners (and the cities they serve); they must comply with the new prohibition but retain their other broad authorities to operate, regulate, and finance water and sewer systems.

Key Provisions
Prohibits a board from restricting the public's recreational use of a water body owned or controlled by the board, including fishing and boating.
Adds nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the code language to current style without changing substantive power or duties.
Effective date set for 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: Authorities, Boards, & Commissions