House Bill 153 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny GarrettRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Class 8 municipalities; to authorize certain municipalities to opt out of county personnel board

Summary

HB153 would let certain Class 8 Alabama municipalities opt out of county personnel boards and create their own civil service systems, with protections for vested rights and a path to rejoin later, plus retroactive validation of past actions.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a new section applying to Class 8 municipalities that have multi-county limits and a population of 25,000 or more, and that were under a county personnel board as of January 1, 2023. It allows eligible municipalities to opt out by ordinance, with the opt-out taking effect six months after passage and requiring notice to the county personnel board. If a municipality opts out, it must create its own municipal civil service system and protect the vested rights of existing county appointees, and it must enact a non-discrimination policy that adheres to state and federal law. The municipality may opt back in after at least 10 years via ordinance. The act repeals an earlier opt-out provision, is retroactive and curative to validate past actions, and becomes effective immediately.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Class 8 municipalities that meet the criteria (municipalities with a corporate limit in two counties and population >= 25,000 per the last census, subject to a county personnel board as of Jan 1, 2023). They would be able to opt out of the county personnel board, create their own municipal civil service system, and must implement anti-discrimination policies and protect vested rights.
• Group 2: County personnel boards and their employees. They would lose jurisdiction over municipalities that opt out, require notice when opt-outs occur, and be affected by the repeal of the old opt-out provision and the retroactive validation of prior opt-out actions.

Key Provisions

• Eligibility: Applies to Class 8 municipalities with corporate limits in two counties, population 25,000+ per the last decennial census, and subject to a county personnel board as of January 1, 2023.
• Opt-out process: Municipalities may opt out by ordinance, effective six months after passage, with a copy transmitted to the county personnel board.
• Opt-back-in option: After at least 10 years, the municipality may opt back in to a county personnel board via ordinance, six months after the ordinance's effective date.
• Municipal civil service system: A municipality that opts out must create its own municipal civil service system and protect vested rights of existing county appointees.
• Discrimination policy: The opt-out municipality must enact a policy prohibiting discrimination in line with federal/state law in appointments, promotions, demotions, or dismissals.
• Retroactive and curative intent: The act is retroactive and curative, validating and confirming actions taken by municipalities that opted out under a previous law.
• Repeal of prior provision: Repeals Section 11-43-5.2, which previously authorized certain Class 8 municipalities to opt out and create their own civil service system.
• Effective date: The act becomes effective immediately.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 17, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Counties & Municipalities