SB11 Alabama 2015 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Session

First Special Session 2015

Title

Russell Co. volunteer fire departments, fire protection service fees authorized for certain property outside corp. limits of Phenix City, exemptions, collection, purposes, uses, distribution of funds, provided for, referendum

Summary

SB11 creates a local fire protection service fee in Russell County outside Phenix City to fund volunteer fire departments and EMS, with exemptions and a referendum.

What This Bill Does

It imposes an annual fee of 50 dollars per residence and 100 dollars per year for commercial buildings outside Phenix City. Exemptions include seniors with property tax exemptions and low income residents under 65 who meet income limits. The collected funds go into a special county fire services fund, are distributed to the Russell County Fire Fighters Association, and then passed to eligible volunteer fire departments to cover fire protection and emergency medical services, training, equipment, and insurance, with strict rules on use and accountability.

Who It Affects

• Residents outside the City of Phenix City in Russell County who would pay the annual fire protection service fee, with some eligible exemptions for seniors and low income individuals.
• Eligible volunteer fire departments and the Russell County Firefighters Association, which receive and distribute the funds to provide fire protection and emergency medical services and must follow reporting and spending rules.

Key Provisions

• Imposes a fire protection service fee of $50 per year for residences and $100 per year for commercial buildings outside the City of Phenix City; the fee is not a property tax and funds fire protection and EMS.
• Exemption rules: seniors eligible for property tax exemptions are exempt from the fee; low-income residents under 65 may qualify for a principal residence exemption with annual income verification; false information can result in loss of exemption.
• Funds flow and distribution: fees go into a special county fund, then to the Russell County Fire Fighters Association, which distributes 32.5% equally among all eligible departments and 67.5% based on the number of eligible residences and commercial buildings in each department's district.
• Allowed uses: funds may be used for fire protection and EMS, including training, supplies, equipment, and insurance; funds cannot be used for food, social activities, or fundraising; departments must maintain records of expenditures.
• Oversight and accountability: the county commission regulates the fees and can set rules; if funds are improperly spent, the department must reimburse and pay a 10% penalty, with penalties redistributed to remaining departments.
• Dissolution and dissolution consequences: if a department dissolves, remaining funds and assets go to the county and are divided among remaining departments in good standing.
• Liability and employment: department personnel are not county employees, and the county is not liable for actions of the departments or the association.
• Referendum and applicability: the act applies to Russell County outside Phenix City and requires approval by a county referendum; the referendum must be conducted on a prescribed election day with the results certified if approved.

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

Subjects

Russell County