This bill pertains to Lawrence County and outlines the process for the formation of fire districts by the county commission and municipalities. It includes provisions for funding these fire districts through fire protection fees, which would be collected by the revenue commissioner upon voter approval. The bill defines key terms such as "business," "district board," "dwelling," "incorporated area," "levy," "municipal governing body," and "unincorporated area." It also specifies that volunteer fire departments serving areas within Lawrence County may apply to incorporate as fire districts and that the governance of these districts will be determined by bylaws suited to their needs.

The bill details that fire protection fees cannot be assessed on certain types of properties, including schools, churches, hospitals, senior care facilities, fire protection buildings, agricultural structures, political subdivisions, structures owned by fraternal or community organizations, and the Alabama National Guard. Additionally, dwellings of individuals 65 years or older with a net annual taxable income of $12,000 or less are exempt. The revenue from these fees is to be used exclusively for fire protection and related emergency services within the district where the fee is collected. The bill also outlines the election procedures for approving the levy of fire protection fees in unincorporated areas, including the steps for proposing and voting on the fees. It states that the revenue commissioner will collect the fees and that the fire district may charge late fees for delinquent payments. The act repeals a previous act from 1992 related to fire protection service fees and states that fire districts cannot exercise eminent domain. The bill is set to become effective on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 11-89-1, 40-9-1