This bill amends Section 45-49-140.10 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance the collection of fire service fees for maintaining firefighting districts in Mobile County. It introduces a definition for "residence" and makes several nonsubstantive updates to the existing legal language. Key changes include the clarification that the service charge is a personal obligation of the property owner and that a lien can be enforced through property sale, aligning it with municipal assessment foreclosure procedures. Additionally, it specifies that property owners of certain structures located on county lines may avoid service charges under specific conditions, such as not being assessed for taxes or claiming homestead exemptions during a defined period.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the criteria for property owners to qualify for the waiver of service charges, including the requirement to provide proof of agreements for fire and emergency services with other districts. It also establishes that the service fee will be collected from owners of various types of residential properties, including single-family homes, duplexes, apartments, and manufactured homes. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45-49-140