HB470 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rod Scott

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Municipalities, counties, budgets, ordinances, online access required, budgets approved prior to fiscal year, circuit judge authorized to compel production of budget if governing body fails to submit

Summary

HB470 would require counties and municipalities to publicly post their annual budgets online, approve them before the fiscal year begins, and allow court-ordered submission if needed.

What This Bill Does

It requires the governing body of counties or municipalities to approve their budgets before the start of the fiscal year and to provide online access to the budget. It also requires the budget to be submitted to the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. If a locality does not have a website, the department must publish online access to that budget and maintain a database to ensure compliance. If a county or municipality fails to submit a budget, a circuit judge can compel submission within a time period set by the judge.

Who It Affects

• County and municipal governing bodies: must approve budgets before the fiscal year and ensure online posting/submission.
• Residents and taxpayers: gain online access to budgets for transparency.

Key Provisions

• Budget approval required before the beginning of the fiscal year.
• Governing body must provide online access to the annual budget and submit it to the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.
• Department of Examiners of Public Accounts must maintain a database and provide online access for budgets of entities without websites.
• Circuit judges may compel submission of budgets if counties or municipalities fail to submit.
• Effective date: first day of the third month following passage and Governor's 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

Municipalities