HB514 Summary

• Allows counties to use proceeds from the four-cent excise tax on gasoline and lubricating oil for vegetation management on county road rights-of-way in addition to resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation work.

• Defines "vegetation management" as actions to maintain road rights-of-way in condition beneficial to public safety and road infrastructure longevity, including herbicide use, heavy equipment, and cleaning of the full width of the right-of-way.

• Requires counties to keep gasoline tax funds in a separate special fund not commingled with other county funds and prohibits use of these funds for new construction unless 90 percent of the county's paved road system achieves an 85 percent maintenance grade.

• Prohibits counties from using these funds for equipment purchases.

• Repeals Section 40-17-224 of the Code of Alabama 1975 as obsolete and clarifies the intended uses of the four-cent excise tax for the Department of Transportation, counties, and municipalities.