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AlabamaSB932026 Regular SessionSenate

Municipalities; mayor in municipality with even number of council members required to break tie vote

Sponsored By: Tim Melson (Republican)

Enacted

Counties & Municipalities

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Alabama mayors gain council tie-breaking authority

Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama municipalities with an even number of council seats can authorize mayoral tie-breaking votes by resolution. In municipalities below 12,000 residents, the mayor presides over a five-member council, can vote on any question, and must break ties. Mayors in municipalities with 12,000 or more residents generally remain outside the council and do not vote. Municipalities with 12,000–24,999 residents can choose the smaller-town system, giving the mayor full council voting rights. This option ends when the latest federal decennial census shows at least 25,000 residents. These municipalities can also choose to return to the nonvoting-mayor system. Either choice requires a majority-approved council ordinance at least six months before the next general municipal election. The council decides whether aldermen are elected citywide or by wards and sets salaries at least six months before each general municipal election. The six-month adoption deadline can be waived to meet a Justice Department mandate under the Voting Rights Act or a court order. The law creates no new household payment, tax, or personal duty.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tim Melson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 220 • No: 0

House vote • 4/9/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1330

Yes: 104 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/21/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 77

Yes: 29 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/21/2026

Melson motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 75

Yes: 29 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/21/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 29 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/21/2026

Melson motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 76

Yes: 29 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    4/17/2026Senate

  2. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1330

    4/9/2026House

  3. Ready to Enroll

    4/9/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled

    4/9/2026Senate

  5. Delivered to Governor

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Signature Requested

    4/9/2026House

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

    1/29/2026House

  8. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    1/28/2026House

  9. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on County and Municipal Government

    1/22/2026House

  10. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    1/22/2026House

  11. Third Reading in House of Origin

    1/21/2026Senate

  12. Melson 1st Amendment Offered

    1/21/2026Senate

  13. Melson motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 75

    1/21/2026Senate

  14. Melson 2nd Amendment Offered

    1/21/2026Senate

  15. Melson motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 76

    1/21/2026Senate

  16. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 77

    1/21/2026Senate

  17. Engrossed

    1/21/2026Senate

  18. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    1/14/2026Senate

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

    1/14/2026Senate

  20. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on County and Municipal Government

    1/13/2026Senate

  21. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    1/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

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