House Bill 409 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Russell BedsoleRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

City of Alabaster; weed nuisance, abatement authorized, procedures established

Summary

HB409 would authorize the City of Alabaster to identify weed nuisances on private property, require abatement, hold hearings, and place liens to recover abatements costs, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

The bill designates an enforcing official to identify weed nuisances and issue notices ordering abatement within 14 days (extendable to 28 days). Owners may request a public hearing before an administrative official to challenge the nuisance, and hearings are open to the public with a written decision issued within five days after the hearing. If a nuisance is confirmed and not abated, the city may abate it and then place a weed lien on the property for the abatement costs, which are collected through the county tax system and foreclosed if unpaid. If no nuisance exists, the notice is void, but future notices for new nuisances can still be issued.

Who It Affects

• Property owners in the City of Alabaster who have a weed nuisance on their property and may be required to abate the nuisance and pay associated costs or face a lien.
• City of Alabaster government (the enforcing official and administrative official) and the county tax system (county revenue commissioner) responsible for enforcing the nuisance provisions, holding hearings, levying costs, and collecting lien payments.

Key Provisions

• Enforcing official designated to identify nuisances, issue notices, and order abatement.
• Notice delivery and posting requirements, with 14 days to abate and a possible 28-day extension; owner can request a hearing with scheduling and notice details.
• Administrative official conducts hearings, suspends abatement during the hearing, and issues a written decision within five days; if nuisance is not found, the notice is void.
• If nuisance exists, the city may abate and levy a cost lien on the property; costs are added to the next property tax bill and collected like ad valorem taxes; foreclosure rules apply, with county reimbursement of foreclosure costs in certain cases.
• Redemption or sale must include payment of the weed lien; lien is extinguished upon full payment; if not paid, lien remains enforceable.
• Appeal to circuit court allowed within 10 days; trial is without a jury; hearings are a matter of public record.
• Effective date of October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Shelby County