HB485 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Jul 24, 2021

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mark Tuggle
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Tallapoosa Co., Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue District, fire protection service fees, levy, expenditure for fire protection and local volunteer fire dept., referendum
Summary: HB485 would authorize a local fire protection fee in the Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue District to fund fire protection and emergency medical services, contingent on voters approving the measure in a district referendum.
What This Bill Does
It creates an annual fire protection service fee of $75 for residences and $150 for commercial buildings within the Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue District, with certain exemptions for seniors and low-income individuals. Fees are collected into a special county fund, with 3% kept by the county for collection; the remaining funds are distributed to Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Inc. Funds may be used for fire protection and emergency medical services, training, supplies, and related insurance, but not salaries, food, alcohol, or social activities, and must be properly accounted for. The county has regulatory oversight and can require reimbursement plus a 10% penalty if funds are improperly spent; upon dissolution, remaining funds go to Tallapoosa County for fire protection.

Who It Affects
Homeowners and business owners within the Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue District who would pay the annual fees (with exemptions for eligible seniors and low-income residents).
Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Inc., which would receive and spend the collected funds on fire protection and EMS (subject to accounting and allowed expenditures).
Tallapoosa County government (and its E-911 Board/County Commission), which would collect, distribute, and oversee the funds and enforce the rules (including collection costs and penalties for misexpenditure).
Voters in the Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue District, who must approve the measure in a district referendum for it to take effect.

Key Provisions
Section 5 sets the fee amounts: $75 per year for residences and $150 per year for commercial buildings within the district, with exemptions for certain seniors and low-income residents.
Section 6 outlines collection and distribution: the fee is collected like property taxes (with a 3% collection fee kept by the county) and distributes the net funds to Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Inc.
Section 7 limits fund use to fire protection and EMS-related expenses (including insurance related to these functions) and requires proper records; it prohibits using funds for salaries, food, alcohol, or social activities and provides penalties for improper expenditure.
Section 8 provides that if Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Inc. dissolves, remaining funds/assets go to Tallapoosa County for fire protection.
Section 9 makes the act operative only if approved by a majority of qualified electors in the district via referendum.

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