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ACCA's Legislation for 2010 Session
Be sure to check this page often for updates.
Government Tags and Registration
HB62 by Rep. Wood
SB261 by Sen. Smith
Current law requires state and local governments pay automobile tag and registration fees equal to the actual cost of producing the tag as determined by the Department of Revenue. This bill would provide that governmental entities not pay more than the fees charged for standard passenger vehicles, decreasing the cost paid by state and local governments.
STATUS: HB62 is out of committee and awaiting action by the House. SB261 is pending committee action in the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee.
Board of Adjustment Appeals
HB146 by Rep. Laird
SB174 by Sen. Benefield
County governmental entities frequently file claims with the Board of Adjustments when a state agency denies a claim for reimbursement of expenses, but there are currently no procedures for approval or denial. This bill would provide that the Board of Adjustment shall approve a county claim unless the state agency which denied the claim has administrative procedures for reimbursement including deadlines and has properly applied those procedures.
STATUS: HB 146 is pending action in the House Government Appropriations Committee. SB174 is out of committee and awaiting action by the Senate.
Release of 9-1-1 Audio Tapes
HB159 by Rep. Johnson
SB186 by Sen. Mitchem
County government and 9-1-1 districts are extremely concerned about the unprotected release of emotionally-charged 9-1-1 calls and the effect on 911 callers and their family. This bill provides that 911 audio tapes will only be released by court order, but that 911 records related to a 911 call will be available for public inspection. The requirement for court order would not apply to law enforcement investigating an incident related to the 911 call.
STATUS: HB159 is scheduled for consideration in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 20. SB186 is pending action in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Age and Disability Exemptions
HB162 by Rep. Lindsey
SB132 by Sen. Sanders
This bill would clarify that an age or disability exemption from ad valorem taxes only applies to persons with taxable income of $7,500 or less and make clear that, in the event a person eligible for an exemption due to age or disability owns the property jointly with a person or persons not eligible for the exemption, the exemption shall only apply to his or her proportionate share of the homestead.
STATUS: HB162 is pending action in the House Government Appropriations Committee. SB132 is pending action in the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee.
Litter Enforcement
HB211 by Rep. Ward -- House Judiciary Committee
SB195 by Sen. T. Little -- Senate Judiciary Committee
Alabama has a strong criminal littering statute with stiff penalties for litter violations. However, the enforcement of this law is severely lacking, in part because law enforcement does not have adequate interest and/or resources for issuing citations. This bill would amend Alabama law to authorize the county license inspector or solid waste officer to enforce Alabama’s litter laws and to issue citations against violators of those laws, allowing another avenue of enforcement.
STATUS: HB211 is scheduled for consideration in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 20. SB195 is scheduled for consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
Local Constitutional Amendment Election
SB88 by Sen. Coleman -- Senate Constitution, Campaign Finance and Ethics Committee
Current law requires a statewide vote on a proposed local constitutional amendment if there is one dissenting vote in either chamber of the Legislature. This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change this process to require a statewide vote on a local amendment only in the event that there are 15 or more dissenting votes in the House of Representatives and five or more dissenting votes in the Senate.
STATUS: SB88 is pending action in the Senate Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics and Elections Committee.
Pay-As-You-Go Road Funding Program
SB229 by Sen. Marsh
This bill would authorize a county commission, by vote of a majority of the commission, to hold a local referendum for approval to impose a temporary local gas tax to pay for specified local road and bridge projects. The referendum would only be held in conjunction with a primary or general election. If approved, the tax could be renewed every five years with public approval in a subsequent local referendum on renewal.
STATUS: SB229 is pending action in the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee.
Transportation of Bodies for Autopsy
SB232 by
Sen. Denton
There is currently no clear procedure in the law addressing the duty and cost of transporting bodies to state forensic laboratories for autopsy. This bill would amend Alabama law to provide that the person, agency, or governmental entity requesting an autopsy shall be responsible for the cost of transporting the body to the forensic laboratory that will perform the autopsy.
STATUS: This bill is pending action in the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.
The real-time status of all ACCA, Danger and local bills can be found by going to acca-online.org and following the steps under Legislative News. Please make copies of this report for all county officials and employees. And remember, the ACCA staff will update the Association's web site with the latest information on the activities in Montgomery.
Questions? Please contact the ACCA staff at (334) 263-7594.
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