House Bill 508 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mack N. ButlerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Etowah County, repeals local constitutional amendment prohibiting municipalities not located wholly within the boundaries of the county on January 1, 1986, from annexing territory without approval at an election

Summary

HB508 would repeal Etowah County's rule requiring a public vote for certain annexations by municipalities not wholly within the county, by proposing a statewide constitutional amendment.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill repeals Section 28-11.20 of the Alabama Constitution (2022), which required voter approval for annexation of county territory by certain out-of-county municipalities. The change would remove that voter-approval requirement for such annexations. The amendment would be decided by a statewide election; if a majority of qualified electors vote in favor, it becomes part of the Constitution, with minor, non-substantive editorial changes possible.

Who It Affects

• Etowah County residents and local governments: potential change to how annexations by municipalities not wholly within the county could occur without a required local vote.
• Voters across Alabama: will vote on whether to approve the constitutional amendment; outcome determines whether the annexation restriction is repealed.

Key Provisions

• Repeals Section 28-11.20 of the Alabama Constitution (2022), which required voter approval to annex county territory by a municipality not located wholly within Etowah County before January 1, 1986.
• Proposes a constitutional amendment that, if ratified, removes the voter-approval requirement for such annexations in Etowah County.
• An election on the proposed amendment will be held under the state’s election laws and procedures, with standard ballot language.
• If approved, the amendment becomes part of the Alabama Constitution; the Code Commissioner may perform non-substantive stylistic and cross-reference edits.

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

Subjects

Etowah County