House Bill 507 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matthew HammettRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Covington County; senior property tax exemption, authorized; constitutional amendment

Summary

A constitutional amendment to allow Covington County seniors 65 and older to claim a senior property tax exemption on their real property, with the assessed value frozen for the year before they claim.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would authorize a senior property tax exemption for Covington County real property owned by a 65+ individual who lives in a single-family, owner-occupied home and has used it as their principal residence for at least five years prior to the first claim year. The exemption would freeze the property's assessed value for the year prior to claiming. The exemption would continue as long as the property remains the owner's principal residence and the owner remains eligible for homestead and other exemptions; millage rate changes would still apply, and additions to the property after claiming would be taxed based on the increased assessed value. The exemption could be claimed starting October 1, 2027 for the value as of October 1, 2026, by submitting a written claim to the Covington County Revenue Commissioner between October 1 and December 31.

Who It Affects

• 65-year-old or older homeowners in Covington County who own and occupy a single-family home as their principal residence and meet the five-year residency requirement, who may qualify for the exemption.
• Covington County Revenue Commissioner and county tax officials who would administer, verify eligibility, process exemption claims, and maintain records related to the exemption.

Key Provisions

• Eligibility: property must be real property in Covington County, owned by an individual 65 years of age or older, classified as single-family owner-occupied residential property, and used as the principal residence for at least five years prior to the first claim year.
• Exemption effect: the senior property tax exemption freezes the assessed value for the year immediately prior to claiming the exemption.
• Continuation: the exemption remains as long as the taxpayer continues to use the property as their principal residence and remains eligible for homestead and other exemptions; millage rates can still change.
• Valuation changes: additions to the property after claiming the exemption are added to the assessed value and taxed based on the increase in value after the exemption is claimed.
• Claim timing: the exemption may be claimed beginning October 1, 2027, for the value as of October 1, 2026, by written filing with the Covington County Revenue Commissioner between October 1 and December 31.
• Constitutional process: after ratification, the Code Commissioner will number and place the amendment in the constitution and may make nonsubstantive revisions.

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

Subjects

Covington County