HB353 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Hill

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Improvement districts, additional powers, notice of hearing not required if held during regular meeting, assessment fees on lands included, nonpayment of fees, remedies, bonds, Alabama Improvement District Act amended, Sec. 11-99A-52 added; Secs. 11-99A-2, 11-99A-3, 11-99A-4, 11-99A-6, 11-99A-8, 11-99A-9, 11-99A-11, 11-99A-12, 11-99A-13, 11-99A-15, 11-99A-19, 11-99A-21, 11-99A-36, 11-99A-42, 11-99A-43 am'd.; Secs. 11-99A-17, 11-99A-30 repealed

Summary

HB353 would expand and modernize Alabama's Improvement District Act by broadening what districts can do, how they raise funds, and how hearings can be noticed when held at regular meetings.

What This Bill Does

It allows improvement districts to acquire and finance a wider range of projects, including water, sewer, storm drainage, utilities, streets, parks, flood control, fire and police facilities, schools, libraries, mass transit, and other public benefits. It lets districts levy land assessments and service fees, establish rates, and provide remedies for nonpayment (including enforcement and foreclosure), with options for reassessment and amendments to existing assessments, and it authorizes districts to issue revenue bonds and temporary bonds. It also updates governance by permitting a district to have a manager, defines board appointment and terms, and makes some provisions retroactive or prospective; it repeals two older sections and adds a validation provision for past districts.

Who It Affects

• Landowners within an improvement district who may be assessed for costs of improvements and charged service or user fees, and who could face reassessment or foreclosure if they do not pay.
• The appointing government (county or municipality) that creates the district, which would appoint board members, approve assessments and bonds, and potentially guarantee revenues.

Key Provisions

• Broadens acceptable improvements to include water, sewer, storm drainage, utilities, streets, parks, flood control, fire/police facilities, schools, libraries, mass transit, airports, art, and other public benefits.
• Public notice for hearings is not required if the hearing is held during a regularly scheduled meeting of the appointing government.
• Creates or extends board authority and terms, allows appointment of a district manager, and outlines governance and budgeting requirements.
• Allows assessment of land within the district and levy of service and user charges; provides remedies for nonpayment, including foreclosure, and allows reassessment/amendment of assessments.
• Authorizes the district to issue revenue bonds and temporary bonds, with security and enforcement provisions, and clarifies that bonds are not the debt of the appointing government.
• Provides for prospective and retroactive operation; repeals Sections 11-99A-17 and 11-99A-30; adds Section 11-99A-52 validating past district formations and handling deannexed land situations.
• Defines key terms (appointing government, board, district, improvements, owner, etc.) to clarify how districts operate.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Improvement Districts