HB191 Summary

• Levies a $30 annual fire protection and emergency medical service fee on owners of dwellings and commercial buildings in Coffee County, with exemptions for persons age 65+ who are property-tax exempt or earning $12,000 or less annually.

• Fee collected and administered like ad valorem taxes; proceeds go to Coffee County General Fund with administrative costs capped at 3% and funds distributed to City of Enterprise, City of Elba, eligible fire departments, emergency medical service squads, and the Volunteer Firefighters Association.

• Eligible fire departments must be certified by Alabama Forestry Commission and members of the County Volunteer Firefighters Association; eligible EMS squads must be under written county contract and licensed by Alabama Department of Public Health.

• Funds restricted to fire protection, emergency medical services, training, supplies, equipment, and liability insurance; prohibits use for food, drink, or social activities with penalties of 10% for improper expenditures.

• Implementation conditional on approval by majority vote of Coffee County electors at a referendum held on the same day as the next countywide election following final passage.