House Bill 522 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Heath AllbrightRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Cullman County; county commission, meeting time amended

Summary

HB522 would overhaul Cullman County’s government by switching from a 3-member board to a five-member commission (one chair and four district-based associates), add evening meetings, and set new term rules.

What This Bill Does

Creates a five-member Cullman County Commission consisting of a full-time chair and four associate commissioners who represent four districts (districts one through four). Associates are elected countywide but must reside in the district they represent. Implements staggered initial terms for associates: two-year terms for those from District Three and District Four, four-year terms for District One and District Two, followed by standard four-year terms thereafter. Keeps the chair as a full-time member who may not vote except to break a tie among the associate commissioners. Requires at least one meeting per month after 6:00 p.m., with posting of meeting days, times, and locations; allows scheduling of special meetings and potential modification of regular meeting days.

Who It Affects

• Cullman County residents and voters: the county’s local government will be represented by a larger five-member commission with district-based seats, and meetings will be scheduled in the evenings for broader public access.
• Current and future Cullman County commissioners and candidates: existing three-member terms will transition to a chair plus four associates with new residency requirements, district designations, staggered terms, and revised voting roles.

Key Provisions

• Board structure and district representation: the commission changes from three members to a chair plus four associate commissioners, with associates representing Commission Districts One through Four and elected at large by county voters; the chair may be from anywhere in the county and serves full-time.
• Terms and residency: associates have district-based residency requirements and staggered initial terms (Two years for Districts Three and Four; four years for Districts One and Two) with subsequent four-year terms; the chair serves a four-year term; powers and election methods otherwise follow existing law unless stated otherwise in the section.
• Voting and leadership: the chair cannot vote except to break ties among the associates; the overall powers, duties, and manner of election are otherwise the same as current law.
• Meetings and effective dates: the county must hold at least one evening meeting per month after 6:00 p.m., post meeting details, and may adjust days or call special meetings; the changes apply with transitions starting November 2022 for associate commissioners and become effective October 1, 2026, with transitional provisions for current terms.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 26, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Cullman County