HB206 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Napoleon BracyRepresentative
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Mobile Co., Co. Commission District 1, volunteer fire departments, board established to evaluate services, co. commission authorized to levy service fee, distribution of proceeds for fire protection
Summary: HB206 lets Mobile County create a North Mobile County Volunteer Fire Department Board to evaluate volunteer fire services and authorize a fire protection service fee up to $50 on certain District 1 properties to fund fire protection.
What This Bill Does
It creates a five-member board for District 1 to review how volunteer fire services are delivered in unincorporated areas and areas served by volunteers, and to study fire protection needs including dispatch and water supply. The county may adopt rules and impose a fire protection service fee up to $50 on owners of dwellings or commercial buildings in District 1, with certain exemptions. Fees are collected with the ad valorem tax bill; proceeds go to the General Fund with small administrative and reserve portions, and the rest is distributed to eligible volunteer fire departments under contract for fire protection, EMS, training, equipment, and insurance. The act includes reporting requirements, allowable uses, record-keeping, penalties for misused funds, and provisions for handling excess funds; it is not a tax and takes effect after governor approval.

Who It Affects
Property owners in Mobile County Commission District 1 (unincorporated areas and incorporated areas served by a volunteer fire department) who would be billed a fire protection service fee up to $50 for dwellings or commercial buildings, with certain exemptions.
Volunteer fire departments serving District 1 that receive funds under contracts to use for fire protection, EMS, training, equipment, and insurance, and that must follow record-keeping, spending rules, and compliance consequences.

Key Provisions
Section 3 establishes a North Mobile County Volunteer Fire Department Board with five members: three from volunteer fire departments, one representative from a public water supplier, and one member of the general public; the board appoints a chair and meets as needed.
Section 4 authorizes the board to review and evaluate delivery of volunteer fire services and to study fire protection, emergency dispatch, water supply, and overall adequacy; it must report findings to the Mobile County Commission by August 1, 2015, after which it continues in advisory capacity as needed.
Section 5 allows the Mobile County Commission to adopt rules and impose a fire protection service fee not to exceed $50 on owners of dwellings or commercial buildings in District 1 (unincorporated and served areas), with exemptions for certain properties.
Section 6 requires annual billing of the service fee by the Revenue Commissioner with the ad valorem bill, including credits for overlapping district fees and exemptions for certain properties; some properties are exempt (government-dedicated industrial parks, or buildings with their own fire protection).
Section 7–8 specify that fee proceeds go to the Mobile County General Fund, with 2% for administration and 2% set aside for future expenses; the remainder is distributed to eligible volunteer fire departments under contract and may be used for fire protection, EMS, training, equipment, and insurance (not for salaries or social activities).
Section 9 outlines penalties for misexpended funds (return funds plus a 10% penalty; possible forfeiture of rights to funds) and Section 10 allows investing excess funds for future expenses or other fire programs in District 1.
Section 11 clarifies the service fee is not a tax on property, and Section 12 states the act becomes effective immediately after governor 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: Mobile County