Senate Bill 185 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Transit authorities; to authorize participation in business organizations

Summary

SB185 would let certain Alabama transit authorities join in business organizations and form subsidiaries to support transit operations, land acquisition, and related activities, with financing and governance rules.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes transit authorities in counties with populations of 600,000 or more to participate in business organizations related to transit operations, land acquisitions, and incidental activities, and to create, acquire, operate, or support subsidiaries and affiliates. It also allows loans and equity financing for those organizations and requires that participating entities not have eminent domain powers. The bill expands planning and coordination with metropolitan planning organizations and regional planning commissions, creates a Transit Citizens Advisory Board to advise on policy and programs, and introduces wage requirements for construction work, protections for employees of acquired systems, and liability limits for lawsuits against the authority; an effective date is October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Transit authorities in qualifying counties and participating municipalities would gain authority to join business organizations, form subsidiaries, obtain financing, and operate transit-related services within the authorizing county or other counties in the state.
• Group 2: Local residents, riders, and workers in those areas would be affected by governance oversight (TCAB), wage and employee protections on construction and acquisitions, and liability limits for claims against the authorities.

Key Provisions

• Allows transit authorities to participate in business organizations and create/acquire/operate subsidiaries and affiliates related to transit operations and land acquisitions.
• Permits loans, capital contributions, and other financing for these business organizations; prohibits exercising eminent domain by these entities; requires cooperation with planning bodies to align with land-use plans.
• Creates/maintains a Transit Citizens Advisory Board (TCAB) to advise on policies and programs, adopt bylaws, and meet regularly; specifies representation and governance rules.
• Imposes liability limits for judgments against the authority (e.g., $100,000 per person, $300,000 aggregate for bodily injury/death, and $100,000 for property damage).
• Imposes labor wage rules for contractors and protections for employees of acquired transit systems; requires demographic representation for funds used under the chapter.
• Updates definitions and makes non-substantive, technical revisions to conform the code language; sets effective date of October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Counties & Municipalities