House Bill 468 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Prince ChestnutRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Local commissions and authorities; prohibition on officers serving on commission or board of directors of authority removed

Summary

HB468 would remove bans on local officials serving on municipal planning commissions and on boards of local water/sewer and fire protection authorities, and it changes how these bodies are formed and staffed.

What This Bill Does

The bill eliminates prohibitions that stop municipal officials from serving on municipal planning commissions and on boards of local water/sewer or fire protection authorities. It reorganizes planning commissions by class, creating a nine-member structure for most municipalities (with a 16-member setup in Class 1 cities) and introducing ex officio and supernumerary members to help with quorum and attendance, along with specific terms and compensation rules. It also outlines how members are appointed, how vacancies are filled, and how removals are handled, plus it adds options for alternate planning commission structures in certain city-manager government types. Finally, it sets the effective date of October 1, 2026 and updates similar rules for local authority boards, including size, terms, compensation, and eligibility.

Who It Affects

• Municipal officials (mayors, council members, and administrative officials) who may now serve on planning commissions or on boards of local water/sewer and fire protection authorities.
• Municipal planning commissions, including Class 1 municipalities that may have 16 members, with new roles for ex officio and supernumerary members and revised term and compensation rules.
• Boards of local water, sewer, and fire protection authorities, which would see changes in board size, terms, compensation, and eligibility rules.
• Counties and municipalities that appoint directors to these authorities, and residents who own real property within the service areas, who must meet eligibility and residency requirements for directors.
• Municipalities with city-manager form of government (Class 5 and Class 6) that may adopt alternate planning commission structures and adjust appointment procedures.

Key Provisions

• Removes the prohibition against municipal officials serving on municipal planning commissions.
• Removes the prohibition against municipal officials serving on the boards of local water/sewer or fire protection authorities.
• Defines planning commission structures: nine-member commissions in standard municipalities, sixteen-member commissions in Class 1 municipalities, with ex officio and supernumerary members and specific term rules.
• Establishes terms and appointment processes for regular and supernumerary members, including staggered terms and rules for filling vacancies.
• Allows for public hearings before removal of members for inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or continued failure to attend meetings; requires a written statement of reasons for removal.
• Provides compensation guidelines for planning commission members and chairs, with conditions limiting compensation for elected officials or municipal employees.
• Creates alternate planning commission structures for Class 5 and Class 6 municipalities with city-manager governments, including termination of existing commissions upon adoption of the new structure and authority for the Mayor to appoint certain members.
• Updates the board of directors for local authorities (water/sewer/fire protection): initial three-member boards with six-year terms, compensation rules, and eligibility requirements including residency and property ownership within the service area.
• Allows board size increases up to seven members in specific scenarios (e.g., resort areas or annexations) and outlines the appointment and term rules for new members.

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