HB 538 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Wilcox County; senior property tax exemption, authorized; constitutional amendment

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow seniors in Wilcox County, Alabama, to receive a property tax exemption on their primary residences. The measure would freeze the assessed value of qualifying homes for tax purposes, protecting owners from future increases in property values. To qualify, homeowners must be at least 65 years old and have lived in the property as their main home for at least five years before claiming the exemption. The exemption can be claimed starting in 2027 and applies only to the original property value, meaning any additions or improvements made after claiming the exemption would still be taxed. This change would require voter approval in a special election before it becomes law.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Mar 3, 2026 Signed Mar 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 19, 2026
MINOR
The bill has progressed from its introduction to its final enrolled version, incorporating all necessary signatures and certification details required for submission to the voters. The substantive policy language regarding the senior property tax exemption in Wilcox County remains unchanged, preserving the eligibility criteria for residents aged 65 and older and the specific effective dates for the tax freeze.
Scope change
The scope of the bill remains focused on authorizing a senior property tax exemption for qualified taxpayers in Wilcox County; no changes were made to the geographic or demographic applicability.
TECHNICAL

Added formal certification signatures for the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, along with dates confirming passage by both chambers.

Updated the bill header from 'HB538 INTRODUCED' to 'HB538 ENROLLED' and adjusted the synopsis section to reflect the final enrolled text format.

Removed introductory metadata, including the original bill number identifier (PSA44GR-1) and draft page headers, replacing them with the official enrolled document formatting.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
8
Committee
4
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Chambliss Local Certification Resolution - Adopted Roll Call 893
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 892
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Local Legislation )
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
LocalCertificationResolutionAdopted
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 809
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Local Legislation)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Thomas Jackson
Thomas Jackson
DDemocratic
AL
68