HB3 Alabama 2015 1st Special Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Johnny Mack Morrow
Democrat
Session: First Special Session 2015
Title: Franklin Co., volunteer fire districts and the City of Russellville, existing districts recognized, referendum for funding, collection and distribution of fees
Summary: HB3 creates Franklin County fire protection districts from existing volunteer districts and Russellville and allows a local vote to fund fire protection through a service fee on residences and businesses.
What This Bill Does
The bill lets Franklin County establish one or more fire districts from current volunteer districts and the City of Russellville; new districts can be formed with county approval. It authorizes a referendum in each district to approve a fire protection service fee of up to $6 per month (collected with property taxes) to fund fire protection services, with exemptions available for eligible individuals. It requires funds to be used only for fire protection and emergency services (no firefighter salaries), allows up to a 3% administration fee, requires proper financial records, and provides rules for distributing funds, dissolving districts, and handling funds if a district dissolves.

Who It Affects
Residents, tenants, and business owners within the Franklin County fire districts who would pay the fire protection service fee (up to $6 per month) via their property tax bills, with exemptions applying to certain individuals such as those eligible for the 65+ disability homestead exemption.
Franklin County government, existing volunteer fire districts, and the City of Russellville, who would establish and operate the districts, collect and distribute funds, oversee expenditures for fire protection and emergency services, and handle district dissolution procedures.

Key Provisions
Existing volunteer fire districts and the City of Russellville are designated as fire districts under the act; new districts may be formed by the county commission following defined rules.
Qualified voters can petition for a referendum on funding; the question asks whether to authorize a fire protection service fee up to $6 per month, collected annually with property taxes; the fee cannot exceed $6 per month.
If a majority vote in favor, the fire protection service fee becomes effective the next month and is collected with property taxes; the fee may be increased only after a new referendum and not within five years of initial approval.
Funds collected may be used only for fire protection and emergency services (vehicles, equipment, stations, operations, training, supplies, insurance) and may not be used to pay firefighter salaries; an administration fee not to exceed 3% is allowed; districts must maintain financial records.
Dissolution or abandonment of a district triggers transfer of remaining funds/assets to other districts or remaining fire departments; collection of fees ceases unless a new district forms within 30 days.
The act provides exemptions from taxes and certain liabilities; districts are not taxed by counties or municipalities, and county officials are not liable for district personnel actions.
Effective immediately upon governor’s approval and applicable only in Franklin County.

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