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HB 525

Covington County; county commission authorized to adopt ordinances to protect public health and welfare, regulate environmental impact of certain activities, Constitutional Amendment

2026 Regular Session

Covington County would gain power to pass health, welfare, and environmental ordinances and civil penalties in unincorporated areas, with strict limits on taxes and municipal reach

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
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Bill Summary · HB 525

Overview

HB525 proposes a constitutional amendment for Covington County to grant the County Commission authority to adopt ordinances aimed at protecting public health and welfare, regulating environmental impacts of industries or activities, and establishing civil penalties for ordinance violations. The measure would also limit the county’s ability to raise revenue or exercise new powers inside municipal boundaries or in areas where other entities already have authority, unless authorized by law or contract.

Main purpose and intent

  • To authorize Covington County, via its Commission, to enact ordinances that:
    • Protect and enhance public health and welfare in the unincorporated areas of the county.
    • Regulate the environmental impact of any industry, project, or activity proposed in the county.
    • Establish civil penalties for violations of county ordinances.
  • To ensure such authority is subject to constitutional and statutory constraints, including limits on new taxes or revenue measures and restrictions on exercising power within municipalities or areas where other entities have authority.
  • To provide for non-substantive editorial or stylistic revisions to the Constitution at the time of ratification.

Key provisions and changes

  • New constitutional authority for Covington County Commission:
    • Adopt ordinances to protect public health and welfare in unincorporated areas.
    • Regulate environmental impact of any industry, project, or activity in the county.
    • Establish and administer civil penalties for violations of county ordinances.
  • Revenue and taxation limits:
    • The county may not establish or levy any new tax or raise revenue unless expressly authorized by the constitution or by general or local law.
  • Territorial applicability and limitations:
    • The county’s new powers would not automatically apply inside:
    • The corporate limits of any municipality.
    • Any other territory where a municipality or a municipal instrumentality has authority.
    • Any other county, except where there is a contract with the affected municipality, municipal instrumentality, or county.
  • Implementation and election mechanics:
    • If approved, the amendment would be described on the ballot for a statewide election.
    • The amendment would become effective upon approval by a majority of qualified electors voting on it, per the state constitution.
    • The insertion and formatting of the amendment would be carried out by the Code Commissioner, with potential nonsubstantive revisions.

Who/what would be affected

  • Covington County (primarily unincorporated areas) would gain explicit authority to adopt health, welfare, and environmental ordinances and to impose civil penalties for violations.
  • Municipalities within or adjacent to Covington County and their instrumentalities:
    • The county’s new powers would not apply within municipal boundaries or where municipalities have existing authority, unless via contract.
  • Industries, projects, or activities proposed in Covington County would be subject to potential environmental impact regulation at the county level.
  • Residents and businesses operating in unincorporated Covington County could be subject to new local ordinances and civil penalties.

Procedural timeline and status

  • First reading and referral: February 26, 2026 (Local Legislation).
  • Current status: Referred to the House Committee on Local Legislation; later entries show committee actions and scheduling in March 2026.
  • Action history indicates movement toward consideration and potential floor vote, with standard constitutional amendment procedures:
    • Constitutional amendment proposed by act and placed on the ballot for voter consideration.
    • Election description prepared and ballot language specified.
    • Ratification required by a majority of qualified electors voting on the measure.

Potential implications

  • If enacted, Covington County could implement local environmental and public health regulations aimed at unaffiliated, unincorporated areas, potentially affecting land use, permitting processes, and local enforcement.
  • The amendment includes explicit protection against revenue-raising beyond what is authorized by existing law, limiting new county taxes.
  • The territorial limitations ensure neighboring municipalities and other counties are not automatically subjected to Covington County’s new powers, preserving municipal and interjurisdictional boundaries.

Note: As a proposed constitutional amendment, final effect depends on voter approval and subsequent implementation through applicable state and local laws.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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