Alabama legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Alabama SB362: Rural areas; create a tiered rural classification schedule
Status: Failed, April 7, 2026
What the bill says
A bill 12 TO BE ENTITLED 13 AN ACT 14 15 Relating to state government; to establish a framework 16 for the classification of rural areas into tiers for use by 17 state governmental agencies as needed. 18.
From the introduced text:
A BILL 12 TO BE ENTITLED 13 AN ACT 14 15 Relating to state government; to establish a framework 16 for the classification of rural areas into tiers for use by 17 state governmental agencies as needed. 18 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: 19 Section 1. For purposes of this act, the following 20 terms have the following meanings: 21 (1) AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC CHARACTER. A community where 22 the local economy, land use patterns, or employment base is 23 predominantly oriented toward farming, ranching, forestry, aquaculture, or related agricultural production and support 25 activities, without regard to the community's proximity to a 26 metropolitan area or whether agriculture is the sole economic 27 activity of the community. Indicators of a community with an 28 agricultural economic character include, but are not limited Page SB362 INTRODUCED 29 to, the following characteristics: 30 a. A significant portion of land is used or zoned for 31 agricultural or forestry purposes. 32 b. A measurable share of employment or business 33 activity is related to farming, livestock, timber, poultry, row crops, or agricultural services. 35 c. Agricultural infrastructure, such as feed mills, processing facilities, grain storage, farm supply businesses, or forestry operations, is present. 38 d. Labor patterns are seasonal, cyclical, or otherwise 39 consistent with agricultural production. 40 (2) INDUSTRIAL …
Sponsors
- Kitchens, Wes (R, SD-009) · primary sponsor
- Gudger, Garlan (R, SD-004)
- Chesteen, Donnie (R, SD-029)
- Jack Williams (R, SD-034)
- Livingston, Steve (R, SD-008)
- Shelnutt, Shay (R, SD-017)
- Elliott, Chris (R, SD-032)
- Barfoot, Will (R, SD-025)
- Carnley, Josh (R, SD-031)
- Singleton, Bobby D. (D, SD-024)
- Chambliss, Clyde (R, SD-030)
- Hatcher, Kirk (D, SD-026)
Latest actions
- : Currently Indefinitely Postponed
- : Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- : Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- : Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development 1st Amendment
- : Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
- : Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
Subjects: State Government
Common questions
- What is SB362?
- SB362 is a bill in the Alabama Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Rural areas; create a tiered rural classification schedule.
- What does SB362 do?
- In its own words: A bill 12 TO BE ENTITLED 13 AN ACT 14 15 Relating to state government; to establish a framework 16 for the classification of rural areas into tiers for use by 17 state governmental agencies as needed. 18.
- What is the status of SB362?
- Failed as of April 7, 2026. Latest action: Currently Indefinitely Postponed (April 7, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB362?
- Kitchens, Wes (R, SD-009), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB362?
- On the Alabama Legislature website: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/instrument/2026RS/SB362
Source: official Alabama record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.