SB184 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Coffee Co., fire protection and emergency medical services, fee levied on certain dwellings and commercial buildings, exemptions, distrib. to Enterprise and Elba, eligible volunteer fire departments and emergency medical service squads, and Volunteer Firefighters Association, referendum

Summary

SB184 would create a local $30 annual fire protection and emergency medical services fee on Coffee County property owners, with exemptions and city allocations, to fund volunteer fire departments and EMS squads, contingent on voter approval in a referendum.

What This Bill Does

It would levy a $30 per year fee on owners of dwellings and commercial buildings in Coffee County, with exemptions for certain seniors and low-income principal residences. The collected funds would be deposited into the Coffee County General Fund, then allocated to the City of Enterprise and the City of Elba for their fire/EMS services, with the remainder distributed to eligible county EMS squads and the Coffee County Volunteer Firefighters Association based on eligible structures in each district. The act defines eligible fire departments and EMS squads, restricts how funds may be spent, establishes accountability measures, and requires a referendum to authorize the fee, taking effect only if the voters approve.

Who It Affects

• Coffee County property owners (residential and commercial) who would pay the $30 annual fee, with exemptions for seniors 65+ and certain low-income individuals for the principal residence.
• Eligible county fire departments outside Enterprise/Elba, contracted emergency medical service squads, the Coffee County Volunteer Firefighters Association, and the two cities (Enterprise and Elba) who receive and manage funds for fire protection and EMS services, including distribution based on eligible structures.

Key Provisions

• Imposes a $30 yearly fire protection and emergency medical service fee on the owner of each dwelling and commercial building in Coffee County, with exemptions for certain seniors and income-based principal residence exemptions.
• Distributes funds: property in Enterprise and Elba goes to those cities for their fire/EMS services; the remaining funds go to the Coffee County Volunteer Firefighters Association and eligible contracted EMS squads, allocated based on the number of eligible structures in each E-911 district.
• Defines eligible participants: county fire departments outside Enterprise/Elba certified by the Alabama Forestry Commission and members of the Coffee County Volunteer Firefighters Association; EMS squads licensed by the Alabama Department of Public Health and under contract to serve Coffee County for ALS/BLS transport.
• Uses and accountability: funds may be used only for fire protection and EMS activities (training, equipment, insurance, etc.); improper use can require repayment plus a 10% penalty; dissolution provisions and compliance rules; EMS must maintain an advanced/basic life support license; noncompliance can lead to forfeiture of funds.
• Referendum and effectiveness: the act requires approval by a majority of Coffee County voters in a countywide referendum; if approved, Sections 2-10 take effect on October 1 of the following year; election costs are paid by the county general fund.
• General provisions: the fee is not considered a property tax; the county may adopt rules/regulations to implement the act; the act includes severability, repeal of conflicting laws, and immediate effectiveness upon approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Coffee County