Signed by Governor Kay Ivey

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that authorizes landowners adjacent to abandoned state roads to petition state, county, or municipal governing bodies to deed them back to the original landowners when the road is no longer usable for its intended purpose in Alabama.

Highlights:

• Authorizes landowners adjacent to abandoned public roads in Alabama to petition state, county, and municipal governing bodies to return the deed of said public properties to their original owner, provided the following conditions are met (Sec. 1):

• The governing body had acquired the right-of-way from the private owner to construct a road;

• The private owner owns the property on both sides of the road;

• The road has been abandoned and no longer serves its intended purpose; and

• The property owner can close to the midline of the right-of-way.

• Requires that petitions filed under the aforementioned criterion be approved, unless one of the following conditions is met (Sec. 2):

• If the reversion of property rights would prevent the adjacent owner from accessing their property;

• If the road grants access or is planned to grant access to a greenway trail; or

• If the governing body in possession of the land can demonstrate a planned future use consistent with the use articulated at the time the property was purchased.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning June 1, 2025 (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text