HB389 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Barbara Bigsby BoydRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Darrio MeltonDavid ColstonBerry ForteNapoleon BracyJim PattersonK.L. BrownRod ScottElaine BeechJohn W. RogersRichard J. LairdRandy WoodJoe FaustJoe HubbardMary MooreSteve HurstOliver RobinsonDemetrius C. NewtonDexter Grimsley

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Radio/alert notification communications districts, counties authorized to establish, board of directors, members, powers, duties, opt out provision (2011-21180)

Summary

HB389 creates a new radio/alert notification district that counties can form, with a multi-county board, funding through user fees, and an opt-out option for emergency responders.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows one or more counties to form a radio/alert notification district as a public authority. It establishes a board of directors from the participating counties, defines their terms and duties, and gives the board the power to hire staff, acquire and own property, sue or be sued, and build and maintain the system. The district can issue revenue bonds, set fees to cover operations and capital costs, and use funds to purchase equipment, install the system, and support facilities and personnel; costs are shared equally among system users. An opt-out provision lets emergency responders in counties with a district choose not to participate.

Who It Affects

• Counties that choose to create the district will establish the district, appoint a board, govern operations, and share funding and responsibilities.
• Emergency response providers (fire, medical, and law enforcement) within counties that create the district may elect not to participate and opt out of the system.

Key Provisions

• Counties may establish a radio/alert notification district that is a public authority and a political subdivision of the state.
• A board of at least eight members is appointed from the participating counties, with four seats from each county; initial terms are set as two, three, and four years, then four-year terms, and the board must reflect statewide diversity.
• The board can appoint officers, hire staff, acquire and own property, sue/be sued, construct and maintain the system, and issue revenue bonds up to 30 years payable from district revenues, with bonds tax-exempt.
• The district can charge fees to users to fund operations, maintenance, and capital replacement, and costs are shared equally among system users.
• Funds are used for equipment, installation, maintenance, facilities, and district employees; district employees may join the Retirement Systems of Alabama.
• An opt-out provision allows emergency responders in counties with a district to elect not to participate.

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

Subjects

Communications Districts