HB436 Summary

• Establishes the "Amusement-Entertainment Machine Fee Act" effective January 1, 2018, creating annual licensing and per-machine fees for bona fide amusement machines offered for commercial public play in Alabama.

• Exempts single business locations with 50 or more machines from the new fee structure, allowing them to continue under existing fee arrangements.

• Requires owners to obtain tiered master licenses ($500-$5,000 annually based on machine count) and pay $25 per machine annually; owners must display a decal on each licensed machine.

• Establishes civil penalties of $50-$1,000 per machine for violations including operating machines without decals, knowingly making machines available without proper licensing, or intentionally removing decals.

• Vests supervision and collection of all fees with the Alabama Department of Revenue and clarifies that this act does not legalize otherwise illegal devices or authorize gambling.