House Bill 321 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Brock ColvinRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Marshall County; volunteer fire districts, annexation of new areas, application of fire service fee, enforcement

Summary

HB321 allows annexing areas into Marshall County's volunteer fire districts and creates a fire service fee for dwellings and business properties, with enforcement, reporting, and funding mechanisms.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the annexation of new areas into existing volunteer fire districts after review and approval, and it defines how a fire service fee would apply to dwellings and business properties within those districts. It sets definitions for what counts as a dwelling or business property, including mobile homes, tiny homes, and certain vehicles, and clarifies how fees are assessed per unit when multiple units exist. It assigns collection and enforcement to the revenue commissioner, imposes penalties for nonpayment, and requires regular financial reporting to ensure funds are used only for fire protection and emergency services.

Who It Affects

• Property owners and occupants within Marshall County fire districts (including dwellings, apartments, mobile homes, tiny homes, and eligible businesses) who would owe the fire protection service fee.
• Marshall County government entities and volunteer fire districts (County Commission, Revenue Commissioner, and the Marshall County Association of Fire Departments and Rescue Squads) who would administer, collect, enforce, and report on the fee, manage annexations, and distribute funds to districts.

Key Provisions

• Annexation authority: allows new areas to be annexed into existing volunteer fire districts following a defined plan, review by the local association, and approval by the county commission; annexation may trigger the fire service fee across the newly covered area.
• Definitions and fee base: creates specific definitions for 'business property', 'dwelling', 'tiny home', and related terms; the fee applies to dwellings and business properties within the district boundaries, with per-unit charges for multi-unit buildings and including certain movable or connected structures.
• Collection and penalties: the revenue commissioner collects, administers, and enforces the fire service fee, imposes a $25 delinquent fee, issues citations, and can place an equitable lien on property for unpaid balances; proceeds are distributed to volunteer districts after an admin deduction (up to 5%).
• Use and reporting of funds: funds may only be used for fire protection and emergency services (vehicles, equipment, daily operations, training, supplies, insurance); districts must maintain financial records and file annual statements by September 15; monthly reports are produced and publicly available.
• Fee increase rules: the initial fee cannot be increased for five years after approval; any increase requires a referendum; if the referendum is negative, another election cannot be held for two years.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Marshall County