SB282 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg AlbrittonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Fire districts, exempting timber lands from fire district service charges, responsibility for fire services under the Alabama Forestry Commission

Summary

SB 282 exempts timber lands from local fire district charges and places fire services on timber lands under the Alabama Forestry Commission.

What This Bill Does

Local fire districts cannot assess fees or dues on timber lands treated as timber land for ad valorem tax purposes. The Alabama Forestry Commission would have the authority and responsibility to control and coordinate fire prevention, protection, and fighting on timber lands. Forest landowners may voluntarily enter into agreements with local fire districts to provide fire protection services for negotiated fees. Any negotiated dues structure already adopted by a fire district before the act takes effect remains valid, and the act becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Timber landowners and land treated as timber land for ad valorem tax purposes: exempt from local fire district charges; fire services on these lands would be coordinated by the Alabama Forestry Commission, with optional voluntary service agreements with districts.
• Local fire districts and the Alabama Forestry Commission: districts lose authority to charge timber lands and must defer to the Alabama Forestry Commission for timber land fire services; pre-existing negotiated dues structures may still be in effect.

Key Provisions

• Section 1(a): A local fire district may not assess any fees or dues on timber lands treated as timber land for ad valorem tax purposes.
• Section 1(b): The Alabama Forestry Commission has authority and responsibility for control and coordination of fire prevention, protection, and fighting on timber lands.
• Section 1(c): Forest landowners may voluntarily enter into agreements with local fire districts to provide fire protection services for negotiated fees.
• Section 1(d): Does not invalidate a negotiated dues structure implemented by resolution by a fire district prior to the act becoming effective.
• Section 2: The act becomes effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Forestry Commission