Alabama Minimum Wage Local Preemption Statute

Code of Alabama Section 11-43-26, often referred to as the Minimum Wage and Right-to-Work Act, prohibits municipalities from establishing local minimum wage, paid leave, or other employment benefit mandates. The law was passed in 2016 in response to a Birmingham ordinance that raised the local minimum wage. Alabama has no state minimum wage statute, so the federal rate of 7.25 dollars per hour applies. Localities cannot require employers to pay more, offer paid sick leave, or impose scheduling rules.

Local minimum wage ordinances are preempted and void; localities risk legal challenge if enforced.