HB557 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Richard Lindsey
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Cleburne Co., fire protection fee, distribution to volunteer fire departments and search rescue
Summary: HB557 creates a local fire protection service fee in Cleburne County to fund volunteer fire departments and search-and-rescue, with fees based on dwelling, commercial, and large agricultural buildings and a referendum requirement before collection.
What This Bill Does
It imposes annual fees: $50 for residences, $150 for commercial buildings, and $30 for agricultural buildings over 2,000 square feet. The fees are collected by the revenue commissioner with ad valorem taxes, and certain ad valorem exemptions (including seniors and disabled/blind) also apply to the fee. Proceeds go into a special county fund and are split: $15,000 to Cleburne County Search and Rescue and the rest to the Cleburne County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, Inc., to buy equipment (ownership transfers to the receiving department) and fund training (up to $10,000 per year); if Rescue ceases, its share goes to the Association. The act requires a county referendum for approval and specifies the fee is a service fee, not a tax, with a lien for nonpayment.

Who It Affects
Property owners in Cleburne County (residents, commercial building owners, and owners of agricultural buildings) who will pay the new annual fire protection service fee, subject to certain exemptions.
Cleburne County Search and Rescue and the Cleburne County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, Inc., which will receive funds to purchase equipment, provide training, and support fire protection services.

Key Provisions
Imposed fire protection service fees: $50 per year for residences, $150 per year for commercial buildings at a specified location, and $30 per year for agricultural buildings over 2,000 square feet.
Definitions: clarifies what counts as a dwelling, a commercial building, and which properties are exempt from the fee (e.g., utility poles/towers are not covered).
Exemptions: individuals exempt from ad valorem taxes and certain seniors or disabled/blind individuals are exempt from paying the fee.
Collection and administration: the fee is collected by the revenue commissioner at the same time as ad valorem taxes; mobile homes are collected like the annual registration for manufactured homes.
Funds and distribution: proceeds go into a special county fire services fund; $15,000 goes to Cleburne County Search and Rescue, with the rest to the Cleburne County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, Inc.
Use of funds: money is used to purchase fire equipment determined by the Association; equipment is owned by the receiving fire department; up to $10,000 per year may be used for training related to the equipment.
If Search and Rescue ceases to exist, its share goes to the Volunteer Fire Departments Association.
Restrictions: funds may not be spent on food, drink, or social activities.
Nonpayment consequences: failure to pay the fee creates a lien on the property, securing the debt.
Referendum: the levy must be approved by qualified electors in a county-wide referendum at the next primary election after the act takes effect.
Effective date: the act becomes law immediately after the Governor signs it or otherwise becomes law.

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