HB522 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Heath AllbrightRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Cullman County; county commission, meeting time amended

Summary

HB522 restructures Cullman County's county commission from three members to a five-member board (one chair and four associates), redefines districts, and sets evening meeting requirements, with changes taking effect October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

It creates a five-member Cullman County Commission (one chair and four associate commissioners) elected at-large, with four districts, and changes terms so that associates from Districts 3 and 4 start with two-year terms and those from Districts 1 and 2 start with four-year terms, then all terms are four years; the chair is full-time and may vote only to break ties, while associates vote on matters. It also requires at least one meeting per month after 6 p.m., with published times and places and flexibility to change meeting days or call special meetings, effective October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• County residents who elect a five-member commission (chair and associates) at-large and will live in or be assigned to four districts
• Residents of each of the four districts who elect an associate commissioner and must reside in their district
• County government and prospective commissioners who will operate under a new five-member structure with a full-time chair and part-time associates and new voting rules
• Working residents and the public who attend meetings, as meetings are required to be held at least monthly after 6 p.m. and publicly posted

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 45-22-70.01 to create a five-member Cullman County Commission (one chair, four associate commissioners) elected at large, with four districts.
• Chair is full-time and may not vote except to break ties; associate commissioners are elected from districts and serve part-time; chair can reside anywhere in the county.
• Terms: initial terms set for two years (Districts 3 and 4) and four years (Districts 1 and 2); thereafter four-year terms.
• Meetings: at least one meeting per month after 6:00 p.m.; days/times/places must be posted; regular meeting days can be changed by resolution; special meetings can be scheduled by majority of the commission or called by the chair in emergencies.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026, with transition to the new structure; the requirement for evening meetings began in November 2020 per the act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 31, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Cullman County