The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama proposes constitutional amendment to grant Covington County Commission authority to adopt public health and environmental ordinances
Last action · March 3, 2026: Re-referred to Committee in House of OriginSponsor: Matthew Hammett
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
This bill proposes a to grant the Covington County Commission authority to adopt local ordinances protecting public health and welfare, regulating the environmental impact of industries or projects, and establishing for violations. The commission is prohibited from levying new taxes or raising revenue under this authority unless otherwise permitted by law. The amendment requires approval by a majority of qualified electors voting in a statewide election.
Grants unincorporated Covington County the power to regulate environmental impacts and enforce , while restricting the commission from levying new taxes without explicit prior authorization.
- Local constitutional amendments in Alabama require statewide legislative approval followed by a local referendum vote by county electors. context
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.
Covington County Commission
Receives new constitutional authority to adopt public health and environmental ordinances and establish civil penalties.
Residents and industries in unincorporated Covington County
Subject to new local ordinances, environmental regulations, and civil penalties adopted by the county commission.
Municipalities within Covington County
Protected from the county commission exercising these new powers within municipal corporate limits unless established by contract or separate law.
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
Does this bill allow the Covington County Commission to raise taxes?
Can the commission enforce these ordinances inside city limits?
What is required for the amendment to take effect?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
5 actions- Mar 3, 2026HouseCommitteeRe-referred to Committee in House of Origin
- Mar 3, 2026HouseRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Mar 3, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Feb 26, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Feb 26, 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
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools