SB375 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Apr 6, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator
Democrat
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Class 1 municipalities; mayor, compensation amended
Summary: SB375 amends compensation for mayors of Class 1 municipalities by setting a minimum annual salary, adding an official expense allowance, and repealing prior rules.
What This Bill Does
In Class 1 cities, the mayor's salary must be at least $220,000 per year and cannot change during the term. The mayor also receives an $8,000 per month expense allowance for office costs, payable monthly in advance, with options about pension contributions. The bill repeals older laws that previously set or increased mayor pay and removes separate provisions for Birmingham's mayor. It preserves utility-related duties where the mayor may serve as superintendent and receive additional pay if the governing body approves.

Who It Affects
Mayors of Class 1 municipalities, who gain a minimum $220,000 salary and an $8,000 monthly expense allowance; they may elect pension withholding for the allowance.
City councils in Class 1 municipalities, who must set the mayor's salary within the new framework and approve any utility-related superintendent duties and compensation.
Residents and governments of cities affected by repeals of prior pay provisions, including Birmingham, who are moved to the Class 1 framework.

Key Provisions
Minimum Class 1 mayor salary of at least $220,000 per year, fixed for the term and set by the city council.
Monthly expense allowance of $8,000 for the mayor, paid in advance and not requiring accounting.
Option to treat the expense allowance as subject to pension contributions; potential retroactive pension contributions on past allowances as allowed.
Authorization for municipalities owning utilities to appoint the mayor as superintendent with accompanying duties and possible extra pay, subject to governing body decisions.
Repeal of Act 84-618 (expense allowance), Section 11-42-86.1 (salary increase), and Section 45-37A-52.93 (Birmingham mayor salary).
Effective immediately.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Apr 2, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Counties & Municipalities