HB288 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ed Henry

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Mac ButtramKen Johnson

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Certain prefabricated storm shelters excluded from provisions of Title 24, Code of Alabama 1975, surety bond by manufacturers of prefabricated storm shelters required

Summary

HB288 would exclude certain prefabricated storm shelters from Alabama's housing code and require manufacturers to post a $20,000 bond with the state emergency management agency.

What This Bill Does

It removes the applicability of Title 24 to specifically described prefabricated storm shelters (if they meet criteria such as no utilities and FEMA/ICC-500 compliance). It requires every resident and nonresident storm shelter manufacturer selling in Alabama to post a $20,000 bond with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, conditioned on following the shelter requirements. The agency may adopt rules to ensure shelters funded by state or federal money meet standards before payments or reimbursements. The act is retroactive to January 1, 2012 and becomes effective after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Prefabricated storm shelter manufacturers (both Alabama residents and out-of-state sellers) who do business in Alabama, who must post the $20,000 bond and comply with the shelter standards.
• Entities providing state or federal funding for storm shelters and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, which would enforce standards and approve funding only for shelters meeting those standards.

Key Provisions

• Excludes qualifying prefabricated storm shelters from Title 24; shelters must meet criteria such as no electrical/plumbing/utility lines, be a temporary storm shelter, capacity of 12 or fewer, have plans stamped by a licensed engineer or registered architect, include compliance statements on blueprints with FEMA/ICC-500 standards, and provide occupancy details on the notes page.
• Requires all resident and nonresident manufacturers selling shelters in Alabama to deliver to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency a $20,000 surety bond annually, bond form approved by the agency, conditioned on compliance with the shelter requirements.
• Authorizes the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to adopt rules to implement the act and to ensure shelters funded with state or federal funds meet standards before payment or reimbursement.
• Sets the effective date and retroactivity: the act becomes effective after governor approval (or as otherwise law) with retroactive effect to January 1, 2012.

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

Subjects

Business and Commerce