FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2020
For media inquiries only, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Attorney General Steve Marshall Issues Statement Regarding Municipal Use of Power in Wake of Amended State Health Order
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall issued the following statement regarding municipal use of power in the wake of the amended State Health Order slated to take effect April 30, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.
“As the State begins to phase out of the stay-at-home order, municipalities are wrestling with individual and, in some cases, unique decisions regarding the preservation of the health and safety of their residents. In light of today’s announcement, some municipalities have already expressed their intent to impose or maintain more restrictive orders than the State. Though Alabama law grants municipalities broad ‘police powers’ when it comes to protecting the public health and safety, these powers must be exercised within constitutional parameters. Municipalities are thus strongly advised to carefully balance the constitutional implications of imposing and enforcing more restrictive safety measures against the need for such measures. As case law tells us, the broadness of these police powers is not a license to abuse them.”
The Attorney General’s Office has published guidance on March 25 (here) and April 8 (here), that more fully explains the constitutional requirements for municipal use-of-power.
[Links can be accessed by clicking the PDF icon at the upper right of this release]
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