HB582 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Kerry Rich
Republican
Co-Sponsor: Wes Long
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Marshall Co., volunteer fire districts, co. commission authorized to establish, service fee, referendum in districts
Summary: HB582 lets Marshall County create volunteer fire districts funded by a monthly fire service fee on homes and businesses, with rules for formation, funding, exemptions, and dissolution.
What This Bill Does
The county can establish one or more volunteer fire districts within Marshall County. Each district would be funded by a fire protection service fee charged to occupied residences, dwellings, and businesses, up to $10 per month, decided by a district referendum. Municipalities can join if they pass a resolution; funds are collected and distributed to the districts, used only for fire protection and emergency services, and districts must keep financial records and report annually. The act also includes exemptions for eligible seniors/disabled homeowners, sets liability protections for county officials, and provides rules for dissolving a district and reallocating its funds and assets.

Who It Affects
Residents, dwellings, and businesses within the potential fire districts would pay a monthly fire protection service fee (up to $10) to fund fire protection and emergency services, with certain exemptions for eligible individuals.
Volunteer fire districts, the Marshall County Association of Fire Departments and Rescue Squads, and Marshall County government (and any participating municipalities) would administer the districts, collect and manage the funds, oversee expenditures and reporting, and handle dissolution and reallocation of assets if a district ends.

Key Provisions
Allows the Marshall County Commission to establish one or more volunteer fire districts and fund them with a fire protection service fee on occupied residences, dwellings, and businesses via a referendum, with municipalities able to join by resolution.
Defines funding and management rules: collected fees (minus up to 5% admin) go to districts for fire protection/emergency services; districts must maintain records and file annual financial statements; exemptions exist for eligible seniors/disabled homeowners; and there are clear dissolution and asset/fund reallocation procedures along with county liability protections.

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