HB34 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Juandalynn GivanRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Jefferson Co., cemetery board established, terms defined, members and duties, provided for, funding provided

Summary

The bill creates a Jefferson County Cemetery Board to oversee neglected for-profit cemeteries in Jefferson County, define terms, set membership and duties, and provide funding to manage or acquire such cemeteries.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Jefferson County Cemetery Board (5-7 members) with appointments by local lawmakers and the delegation, and designates a chair; initial terms are staggered (2, 3, and 4 years) with subsequent 4-year terms. The board can negotiate acquiring neglected for-profit cemeteries, supervise cleanup and maintenance (including coordinating inmate labor with the sheriff), purchase small equipment, and may transfer ownership to a nonprofit board; it can enforce its rules and sue to ensure compliance, and may maintain a private cemetery only if it is deemed a public nuisance after a hearing. Funding is provided from pistol permit fees and county sales tax revenues above 2015 levels, with initial amounts up to $50,000 and $25,000 annually thereafter, deposited into a Jefferson County Cemetery Account.

Who It Affects

• For-profit cemeteries in Jefferson County: subject to board oversight, potential acquisition, required maintenance, and possible transfer of ownership to a nonprofit entity.
• Jefferson County residents and the county government: funding and financial mechanisms for cemetery cleanup, and a limitation on county commission control over these cemeteries.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Jefferson County Cemetery Board (five to seven members) with appointment rules by local legislators and establishes the chair by majority vote; terms are staggered and later four years.
• Defines key terms (cemetery, maintenance, neglected cemetery) and limits the act to cemeteries existing on the effective date; exempts religious and private family cemeteries.
• Authorizes the board to acquire neglected for-profit cemeteries, oversee cleanup and maintenance, coordinate inmate labor, purchase supplies up to $500, and transfer ownership to a nonprofit board; gives the board enforcement authority.
• Provides funding for the board from pistol permit fees and sales tax revenues above 2015 levels, depositing into a dedicated county cemetery account with specified initial and ongoing amounts.
• States that the county commission has no authority over the board or these cemeteries, and that board members serve on a volunteer basis with expense reimbursement; includes limited civil liability protections for board members.

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

Subjects

Jefferson County