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AlabamaHB3152026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Authorize the governing body of a Class 1 municipality to enact and enforce vacant property registration ordinances.

Sponsored By: M. Moore (Democratic)

Enacted

Counties & Municipalities

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Vacant-property fees with exemptions and refunds

Beginning October 1, 2026, an adopted Class 1 city program must charge annual fees for covered vacant properties. The first fee cannot exceed $250. Later annual fees cannot exceed either 150% of the prior year's fee or $1,000 per property. Required exemptions cover qualifying sale or rental listings, construction or renovation, damaged properties with a demonstrated intent to repair, and temporary absences with plans to return. Divorce, probate, and estate exemptions last for reasonable periods of no more than 24 months. Owners with documented plans to restore or occupy within 12 months can qualify for an exemption, with one additional year possible. Some waived fees become due if restoration or occupancy does not begin within 12 months. Cities can grant additional exemptions for good cause and allow refunds for the unused part of a year after vacancy ends.

Vacant-property owners face fines with safeguards

Beginning October 1, 2026, adopted Class 1 city programs can require owners to secure and maintain covered vacant properties. Interior and exterior inspections require at least 10 days' notice after registration is completed or required, and can occur annually. Cities can impose fines up to $1,000 per violation. After at least 30 days' notice, cities can repair, maintain, or demolish property and charge owners reasonable costs. Cities can sue to collect unpaid fees, enforce fines in court, and recover work costs through liens or civil action. Liens must be recorded in the probate office; unpaid fee and fine liens rank behind existing liens, including mortgages and state tax liens. Unrelated buyers, including foreclosure buyers, assume prior registration duties, fees, fines, and enforcement obligations; good-faith buyer protections remain, and cities can allow fee or lien waivers. Administrators must try to identify owners and lienholders and send written delinquency notices; cities can also require posted notices. Owners receive notice before adverse action and appeal rights through municipal court, then circuit court, generally within 30 days.

New registration rules for vacant-property owners

Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama Class 1 cities can choose to create vacant-property programs with a citywide database and administrator. The programs cover residential and commercial buildings, but exclude government and public-corporation property. Vacancy includes buildings without regular lawful occupants or where lawful business or occupancy has largely stopped for 90 consecutive days. Covered owners must register by the latest applicable deadline: 30 days after vacancy, 30 days after taking ownership, or 90 days after foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, or transfer to the first buyer afterward. Owners must provide contact details, the vacancy start date and expected length, and known lender or loan-servicer contacts. A contact receiving notices must be at least 19; out-of-state owners may need an Alabama resident agent. Local rules can require a plan to restore and occupy the property. Exclusions include qualifying second homes, seasonal homes, multiunit buildings with an occupied unit and utility use, and qualifying properties actively marketed for sale or rent.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • M. Moore

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Juandalynn Givan

    Democratic • House

  • Kelvin Datcher

    Democratic • House

  • Ontario Tillman

    Democratic • House

  • Patrick Sellers

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 398 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2026

Moore (M) Motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1251

Yes: 92 • No: 0 • Other: 12

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1159

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Coleman motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1160

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1161

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 3/17/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 896

Yes: 27 • No: 0 • Other: 72

House vote • 3/17/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 895

Yes: 70 • No: 0 • Other: 31

House vote • 3/17/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 69 • No: 0 • Other: 26

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    4/16/2026House

  2. Enrolled

    4/8/2026House

  3. Delivered to Governor

    4/8/2026House

  4. Signature Requested

    4/8/2026Senate

  5. Delivered to Governor

    4/8/2026House

  6. Third Reading in Second House

    4/7/2026Senate

  7. Jefferson County Legislation 1st Substitute Offered

    4/7/2026Senate

  8. Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1159

    4/7/2026Senate

  9. Coleman 1st Amendment Offered

    4/7/2026Senate

  10. Coleman motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1160

    4/7/2026Senate

  11. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1161

    4/7/2026Senate

  12. Moore (M) Motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1251

    4/7/2026House

  13. Ready to Enroll

    4/7/2026House

  14. Jefferson County Legislation 1st Substitute

    4/2/2026Senate

  15. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    4/2/2026Senate

  16. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    4/2/2026Senate

  17. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Jefferson County Legislation

    3/31/2026Senate

  18. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    3/31/2026Senate

  19. Third Reading in House of Origin

    3/17/2026House

  20. Jefferson County Legislation Engrossed Substitute Offered

    3/17/2026House

  21. Moore (M) motion to Table - Adopted Voice Vote

    3/17/2026House

  22. Tillman 1st Substitute Offered

    3/17/2026House

  23. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 895

    3/17/2026House

  24. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 896

    3/17/2026House

  25. Engrossed

    3/17/2026House

Bill Text

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