AlabamaAlabama counties can set constable numbers and areas through local laws
Alabama counties can use laws passed by the Legislature to set how many elected constables serve, where they serve, and when their offices become vacant.
What it does
Counties can use local laws to set how many constables serve, which areas they represent, and when their offices become vacant. The Alabama Legislature must pass those laws.
When a constable’s office becomes vacant, the probate judge must notify the Governor. This requirement applies regardless of the reason for the vacancy.
Argument forAdjusting constable numbers and service areas through local laws could help counties match elected representation to their communities’ needs.
Argument againstLocal rules about when an office becomes vacant could shorten an elected constable’s service, depending on what the Legislature approves.
More detail
The Alabama Legislature can pass local laws setting constable numbers, service areas, and rules about when their offices become vacant. This authority covers elected constables and the areas they represent within Alabama counties. A county must use a local law passed by the Alabama Legislature to exercise this authority. The law took effect on October 1, 2026.
The probate judge must notify the Governor when a constable’s office becomes vacant. The requirement covers any vacancy in an Alabama constable’s office. The law took effect on October 1, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 9EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 8Signature Requested
- Apr 8Delivered to GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 7Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1200. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 7Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1200Passed Senate
- Apr 7Ready to Enroll
- Apr 7Enrolled
- Apr 1Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Apr 1Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (County and Municipal Government)Minor
- Mar 31Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1093. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 31Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1093Passed House
- Mar 31Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on County and Municipal GovernmentMinor
- Mar 31Pending Committee Action in Second House (County and Municipal Government)
- Mar 11Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Mar 11Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (County and Municipal Government)Minor
- Feb 24Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on County and Municipal GovernmentMinor
- Feb 24Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (County and Municipal Government)Introduced
Government & Ethics