Senate Bill 276 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

City of Alabaster; weed nuisance, abatement authorized, procedures established

Summary

SB276 would empower the City of Alabaster to identify and abate plant-related nuisances on private property and recoup abatement costs through weed liens added to property taxes.

What This Bill Does

The city designates enforcing and administrative officials to handle notices, hearings, and abatement decisions for plant-related nuisances. Property owners would receive written notices with a 14-day deadline to fix the nuisance (up to 28 days possible) and can request a hearing to challenge whether a nuisance exists. If a nuisance is found and not abated, the city may enter to abate and then charge the costs to the property as a weed lien, which is collected through the county tax system and can be foreclosed like other taxes; an owner can appeal to circuit court within 10 days of a determination. The lien can be paid during redemption or sale and extinguished; if not paid, it remains a valid lien; the act takes effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Property owners in the City of Alabaster who may be identified as having a plant-related nuisance on their property and could face abatement orders and weed liens to recover costs.
• City officials (enforcing and administrative) and county tax officials who will issue notices, hold hearings, determine nuisance existence, calculate costs, and collect weed liens.

Key Provisions

• Designates an enforcing official to issue nuisance notices and order abatement, with specified service methods and posting requirements.
• Creates an administrative official to oversee hearings, rulings within five days after hearing, and timelines for abatement and appeals; establishes the weed lien process and collection through the county system; outlines appeals and open public hearings.
• Authorizes abatement by the city if not completed, imposes a lien on the property for abatement costs, and details how liens are collected, foreclosed, and extinguished upon payment.

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

Subjects

Shelby County