AlabamaLocal governments may exempt some veterans-benefit households from waste fees
Starting October 1, 2026, households with only veterans’ benefits as income may qualify to avoid solid waste fees, with local approval needed above the federal poverty level.
What it does
Households living only on veterans’ benefits may qualify to avoid solid waste fees. Those above the federal poverty level qualify only if their county or city approves the exemption.
Argument forEligible households could keep more of their income by avoiding solid waste fees after showing yearly proof and, when required, getting local approval.
Argument againstSome households may still owe the fees if they miss the yearly proof deadline or their local government does not approve the exemption.
More detail
The law provides a solid waste fee exemption for households whose only income is veterans’ benefits. The exemption applies only while veterans’ benefits are the household’s sole source of income. Those benefits include programs and services for veterans, their dependents, survivors, and other eligible people that are administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. A household must show proof of its income to the county health officer by the first billing date of the year it seeks the exemption. The household must request the exemption each year. If the household’s income is above the current federal poverty level, the exemption applies only if the county or municipality adopts a resolution allowing it. The law takes effect October 1, 2026. A household must request the exemption each year by the first billing date of that year.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 15EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 9Senate Concurs in Conference Committee Report (Conference Committee on SB32)
- Vote recorded Ross motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report - Adopted Roll Call 1350. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Gudger motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report - Adopted Roll Call 1300. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 9Gudger motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report - Adopted Roll Call 1300
- Apr 9Ross motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report - Adopted Roll Call 1350
- Apr 9Ready to Enroll
- Apr 9EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 9Signature Requested
- Apr 9Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 7Orr motion to Non-Concur and Appoint Conference Committee - Adopted Roll Call 1131
- Vote recorded Orr motion to Non-Concur and Appoint Conference Committee - Adopted Roll Call 1131. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded In Conference Committee. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7In Conference Committee
- Apr 2Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1182. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1183. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 2County and Municipal Government Engrossed Substitute Offered (County and Municipal Government)Minor
- Apr 2Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1182Major
- Apr 2Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1183Passed House
- Mar 19Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (County and Municipal Government)Minor
- Mar 18Reported Out of Committee Second House (County and Municipal Government)
- Mar 5Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on County and Municipal GovernmentMinor
- Mar 5Pending Committee Action in Second House (County and Municipal Government)
- Mar 3Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 689. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 3Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 689Passed Senate
- Jan 14Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 14Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety)Minor
- Jan 13Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public SafetyMinor
- Jan 13Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety)
- 2025
- Dec 17FiledIntroduced
Veterans