HB701 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Berry ForteRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

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

Summary

HB701 would authorize a local fire protection service fee in Russell County (outside Phenix City) to fund volunteer fire departments and EMS, with exemptions and a countywide referendum.

What This Bill Does

It creates a $50 annual fee for residences and a $100 annual fee for commercial buildings outside Phenix City to fund fire protection and emergency medical services. The money goes into a special county fund and is distributed to eligible volunteer fire departments and the Russell County Firefighters Association, with 32.5% shared equally and 67.5% distributed based on the number of eligible residences and commercial buildings in each district. Funds must be used only for fire protection, EMS, training, equipment, and related insurance, and are subject to county oversight and annual accounting; there are penalties for improper use, and dissolution rules apply if a department ends.

Who It Affects

• Residents and commercial property owners outside the City of Phenix City would pay the fire protection service fee ($50 per residence, $100 per commercial building) to fund fire protection and emergency medical services.
• Eligible volunteer fire departments in Russell County and the Russell County Firefighters Association would receive the collected funds, use them for protection and EMS activities (with oversight, reporting, and restrictions on certain expenditures).

Key Provisions

• Applies to all of Russell County except the area within the City of Phenix City.
• Defines eligible volunteer fire departments (certified nonprofit in Russell County) and the Russell County Firefighters Association as nonprofit public-benefit entities.
• Residence fee: $50 per year outside Phenix City; Commercial building fee: $100 per year outside Phenix City; the fee is not a property tax.
• Exemptions: 65+ individuals are exempt; under-65 individuals with AGI of $12,000 or less may apply for a principal residence exemption (annual proof required); if not filing US tax returns, an affidavit can prove income; exemption must be renewed annually.
• Collection and administration: fees are collected like ad valorem taxes; mobile homes are collected the same way as manufactured home registrations; funds are paid into a special county fire services fund by March 1 each year.
• Distribution: 32.5% to eligible volunteer fire departments in equal shares; 67.5% distributed based on the number of eligible residences and commercial buildings in each district.
• Authorized uses: funds may cover fire protection and EMS, training, supplies, equipment, and certain insurance; cannot cover salaries, food, social activities, or fundraising; departments must maintain records of expenditures.
• Oversight and accountability: Russell County Commission regulates and can adopt rules; improper expenditures require reimbursement plus a 10% penalty; noncompliant departments may be deemed to have forfeited funds.
• Dissolution/abandonment: remaining funds/assets transfer to the county or be equitably divided among remaining departments.
• Liability: county and officials are immune from liability for the actions of the volunteer departments.
• Referendum: a countywide referendum is required to authorize the fee; Phenix City residents do not participate in the vote; approval requires a majority of Russell County electors; election conducted with standard local election procedures.
• Effective date: 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

Russell County