Senate Bill 375 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Class 1 municipalities; mayor, compensation amended

Summary

SB375 would set Class 1 city mayors’ pay at a minimum of $220,000 per year, create a $10,000 monthly expense allowance, expand mayoral duties related to utilities, and repeal Birmingham-specific pay rules to apply a uniform Class 1 framework.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes Class 1 city councils to set the mayor’s annual salary at no less than $220,000 and keep it fixed for the term. It creates a $10,000 per month expense allowance for the mayor, with rules about payment timing, retirement contributions, and reimbursements. It enables the mayor to serve as superintendent of municipal utility systems (if the city owns them) with related purchasing and reporting duties, and it makes past and current employment in that role retroactively valid. It repeals Birmingham-specific compensation provisions and related acts to align Birmingham with the Class 1 framework, effective immediately.

Who It Affects

• Mayors of Class 1 municipalities who will receive a minimum $220,000 annual salary, a $10,000 monthly expense allowance, and potential duties as superintendent of municipal utilities.
• Birmingham city and its residents/government, as Birmingham’s separate compensation provisions would be repealed and the mayor’s pay would shift to the Class 1 framework.

Key Provisions

• Sec. 1: For Class 1 municipalities, the mayor’s annual salary must be at least $220,000 and is fixed for the term; paid in monthly installments and supersedes other salary provisions.
• Sec. 1: The salary cannot increase or decrease during the mayor’s term.
• Sec. 1: The $220,000 salary is the minimum; it is the rate used for monthly payments during the term.
• Sec. 1: Introduces a $10,000 per month expense allowance for the mayor, payable at the start of each month, with retirement-contribution options and withholding rules.
• Sec. 2: Amends 11-43-80 to exempt Class 1 municipalities from the six-month pre-election salary-fixing requirement; the council still sets the salary.
• Sec. 2: In municipalities owning municipal utilities, the mayor may be employed as superintendent of such systems by resolution and perform duties including purchasing, meter checks, bids, and financial oversight, with required records and monthly statements.
• Sec. 2: The mayor’s service as superintendent can be dispensed with by the governing body, and past employment and salaries as superintendent are retroactively validated.
• Sec. 2: Amends 11-43-86 to provide the $10,000 monthly expense allowance and details about retirement contributions, withholding, and potential pension treatment.
• Sec. 2: The mayor may be required to attend city meetings and conferences; the mayor decides which to attend and reimbursement for actual travel beyond city limits is allowed and not counted toward the allowance or pension.
• Sec. 3: Repeals Act 84-618 (Class 1 mayor expense allowance), Section 11-42-86.1 (Class 1 salary increase), and Section 45-37A-52.93 (Mayor of Birmingham).
• Sec. 4: The act becomes effective immediately.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Counties & Municipalities