Senate Bill 93 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Feb 17, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tim MelsonSenator
Republican
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Municipalities; mayor in municipality with even number of council members required to break tie vote
Summary: SB93 would allow mayors in municipalities with an even number of council seats to cast a tie-breaking vote as a council member, but only if the city council adopts a resolution authorizing it.
What This Bill Does
It creates a new tie-breaking voting option for mayors in even-numbered councils, contingent on an adopted resolution. It preserves current rules for cities under and over certain population thresholds and outlines how mid-size cities may opt into related voting rules by ordinance. It takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects
Mayors in municipalities with an even number of council seats, who could cast a tie-breaking vote if their city passes a resolution permitting it.
City councils and residents in those municipalities, because the outcome of tied votes could change with the mayor’s tie-breaking vote, and councils must pass a resolution to authorize it.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 11-43-2 to let the mayor vote as a council member to break a tie in cities with an even number of council seats, if the local government adopts a resolution authorizing the mayor to do so.
In cities with fewer than 12,000 population, the mayor continues to preside and may vote on any question; in ties, the mayor must vote.
In cities with 12,000 or more but fewer than 25,000 population, the council may, by ordinance adopted at least six months before the next general municipal election, elect to operate under the framework of subsection (b) until the population reaches 25,000 or more, at which point other provisions apply.
Effective date: 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