House Bill 502 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Napoleon BracyRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

City of Prichard; Mobile County, expedited quiet title process established

Summary

HB502 would let the City of Prichard pursue an expedited quiet title and foreclosure process to establish clear title to abandoned tax sale properties the city acquired from the state.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the city could file a single circuit court petition to quiet title and foreclose on one or more parcels. The process requires identifying and notifying all interested parties, posting notices on the properties, and holding a hearing within 90 days (with possible extensions for good cause). If no one redeems or appears, the court would issue a judgment vesting fee simple title in the city and extinguishing liens and other interests, subject to limited exceptions; interested parties would have the right to redeem or object. Appeals go to the Court of Civil Appeals with a bond requirement, and the city would record the court's order in probate court after the process ends.

Who It Affects

• Interested parties with a legal or equitable interest in the parcels (owners, heirs, mortgagees, purchasers, lienholders, or other claimants) — they could lose their interest if the city prevails and must be identified, notified, and given a chance to redeem or object.
• City of Prichard and its officials responsible for filing the expedited petition, managing notices and hearings, and, if successful, obtaining fee simple title and recording the court's order.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'interested parties' and requires notice to them (owner, heirs, mortgagees, purchasers, lienholders, and others with a legal or equitable interest).
• Authorizes the City to file an expedited quiet title and foreclosure petition for properties purchased from the state land commissioner and to pursue judgment in circuit court.
• Requires the city to make a good-faith effort to identify interested parties using methods such as signage, deed/mortgage records, tax records, voter lists, probate records, and Secretary of State records for businesses.
• Allows a single petition identifying each parcel by tax parcel number and street address, served on all identified interested parties.
• Requires a hearing within 90 days of the scheduling order, with possible extensions for good cause.
• Requires notices to interested parties at least 30 days before the hearing, plus posting notices on the property and conveying that the property is subject to expedited proceedings and may extinguish interests.
• If parties cannot be identified, permits notice by publication in a newspaper for three consecutive weeks; discovery of additional parties triggers postponement to notify them.
• Before the hearing, the municipality must file proofs of notice and allow objections; denial of the petition does not bar future petitions; no injunction to stay the action.
• If a party redeems, redemption follows existing law; if not redeemed or no appearance, the court must issue judgment within 10 days with specified vesting and extinguishment terms.
• Judgment would vest fee simple title in the city, extinguish liens and most interests, and preserve specified easements or restrictions; there is a rebuttable presumption of notice compliance if procedures were followed.
• Any party may appeal to the Court of Civil Appeals within 42 days, with a bond requirement and stay limited to the parcel under appeal; appeal standards are specified.
• The court's order must be recorded in probate court after the appeal period or final judgment, completing the process.
• The act becomes effective June 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Mobile County