HB 597 Summary

• Authorizes Chilton County governing body to levy additional sales and use taxes at 1% rate on retail sales and 1% on storage/use of tangible personal property to fund hospital facilities construction, maintenance, and operation.

• Establishes reduced tax rates of 0.5% on specific items including industrial machinery, agricultural equipment, and automotive vehicles and trailers.

• Allows county to administer taxes independently or contract with State Department of Revenue or private collection agency, with collection fees not exceeding 5% of proceeds.

• Permits county to conduct advisory referendum on tax levy (non-binding) and authorizes issuance of bonds backed by tax revenues to fund hospital projects.

• Prohibits tax abatement under Chapter 9B of Alabama Code and requires tax termination no later than 4 years after all bonds backed by these revenues are fully paid, though county may continue taxes up to 4 years for continued facility maintenance.