HB225 Alabama 2015 Session

Under existing law, counties may contract with the United States, with the State of Alabama, and with other counties, but there is no general authority for the county commission to contract with municipalities

This bill would authorize counties to contract with municipalities in the state

Under existing law, county commissioners are prohibited from contracting with the county or hiring family members

This bill would clarify existing law to provide that a county commissioner may not contract with the county personally or through his or her business and may not participate in the hiring of a family member. Additionally, the bill would define family member as that term is defined in the state ethics law

Under existing law, two or more counties may enter into agreements to self-fund liability and workers' compensation insurance, but are not authorized to enter into agreements to self-fund property insurance

This bill would authorize two or more counties to self-fund property insurance in the same manner as currently authorized for liability insurance

Under existing law, a county-maintained road or bridge becomes the responsibility of a municipality when the road is annexed into the municipality

This bill would provide that a county-maintained road or bridge used for evacuation during an emergency may not be annexed into the municipality or otherwise regulated by the municipality except by agreement of the county and municipality

Under existing law, certain employees and officials of an emergency communication district are required to be bonded in an amount not less than the total funds received by the district in the prior fiscal year

This bill would clarify which employees and officials are required to be bonded and provide guidance on the amount of the bond

To amend Sections 11-1-10, 11-3-5, 11-30-1, 11-49-80, and 11-98-4, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to county government; to authorize counties to contract with municipalities; to clarify provisions related to contracts with related family and business interests; to authorize counties to self-fund property insurance; to further provide for maintenance of roads annexed by a municipality; and to provide for bonding of emergency communication district employees.