HB386 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul W. LeeRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Safety, urging installation of swimming pool alarms

Summary

HB386 would encourage pool sellers to advise homeowners to install a pool alarm in residential pools, provide civil liability protection for sellers who fail to do so, and create a sales tax exemption for pool alarms purchased for residential pools.

What This Bill Does

Requires sellers of pools for one-family or two-family homes to advise the owner to install a pool alarm before the pool is used or made available. Provides civil liability protection for a pool seller if they did not advise the buyer to install a pool alarm. Allows pool alarms purchased for installation in a residential dwelling to be exempt from sales or use tax, if the purchaser certifies that the alarm is for a residential pool, and creates forms and enforcement rules. Defines key terms (pool alarm, residential dwelling, swimming pool) and sets an effective date for the act.

Who It Affects

• Pool sellers/retailers: must advise buyers about installing a pool alarm and may receive civil liability protection if they fail to advise.
• Pool buyers/homeowners purchasing pool alarms for residential pools: may qualify for a sales tax exemption after certifying the alarm is for a residential pool and subject to new Department of Revenue rules.

Key Provisions

• Encouragement for sellers to advise owners to install a pool alarm in a pool located in a one-family or two-family dwelling.
• Civil liability exemption for sellers who did not advise the buyer to install a pool alarm.
• Sales/use tax exemption for pool alarms purchased for installation in a residential dwelling, contingent on purchaser certifying the alarm is for a residential pool.
• Department of Revenue to prepare forms and promulgate/enforce rules governing the exemption and verification process.
• Definitions of pool alarm, residential dwelling, and swimming pool.
• Effective date: first day of the third month after passage/approval.

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

Subjects

Safety