SB 266, sponsored by Senator Linda Coleman-Madison (D-Birmingham), was carried over in the Senate Committee on County and Municipal Government last week. HB 369, the House companion legislation sponsored by Representative Jack Williams (R-Birmingham), was also carried over in the House Committee on County and Municipal Government. SB 266/HB 369 commonly known as “Doughnut Hole Annexation Legislation,” would authorize an additional annexation method to allow municipalities to annex unincorporated territory that is 15 acres in size or less and that has been enclosed within the corporate limits of municipality for a period of one year or more.

Alabama REALTORS® oppose the forced annexation of private property by municipal and regulatory bodies into zoning or municipal boundaries against the property owner’s consent.

AAR has flagged and opposed this legislation for several years and its potential negative impact on private property rights in Alabama.