The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama Legislature levies a 4 percent lodging tax in Washington County effective September 1, 2026
Last action · April 1, 2026: Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1120Sponsor: Brett Easterbrook
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What This Bill Would Do
Washington County will impose a 4 percent on the rental of hotel rooms, motels, inns, condominiums, and other transient accommodations starting September 1, 2026. The Washington County Commission will self-administer the collection of the tax, with all proceeds deposited into the county general fund. Exemptions apply for long-term stays of 30 continuous days or more and rentals used as a principal residence.
Visitors and tourists renting short-term accommodations in Washington County will pay an additional 4 percent charge on room rates, increasing travel costs while boosting general revenue for the county government.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
transients renting rooms in Washington County
Transients renting lodging must pay an additional 4 percent tax on room charges.
businesses furnishing lodging in Washington County
Lodging providers must collect and handle the new 4 percent privilege or license tax.
Washington County Commission
The commission is responsible for certifying the tax rate by resolution and self-administering its collection and enforcement.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to pay the new lodging tax in Washington County?
Are long-term renters subject to the 4 percent lodging tax?
Where do the tax revenues go?
What else do you want to know?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
7 actions- Apr 1, 2026HouseFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1120
- Apr 1, 2026HouseThird Reading in House of Origin
- Mar 31, 2026HouseEasterbrook BIR and Bill Carry Over Temporarily - Adopted Voice Vote
- Mar 19, 2026HouseRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Mar 19, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Mar 17, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
Show 1 earlier action
- Mar 17, 2026HouseIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Local Legislation
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz10Current news / social attention level
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