HB195 Summary

• Amends Act 2015-258 to authorize the Mobile County Commission to create a North Mobile County Volunteer Fire Department Board to review and evaluate volunteer fire services in Commission District 1.

• Authorizes the county commission to impose a fire protection and suppression service fee not exceeding $50 on owners of dwellings and commercial buildings, with certain exemptions for schools, churches, governmental industrial parks, and businesses with established fire departments.

• Extends the reporting deadline for the board's findings from August 1, 2015 to August 1, 2020, and makes the service fee effective upon adoption by the county commission.

• Requires the county to retain 2% for administration costs and 2% in a segregated account for unexpected expenses, with remaining proceeds distributed to volunteer fire departments for approved uses including equipment, training, supplies, and insurance.

• Prohibits diminishment of municipal funding to fire departments and requires audits at least every two years with penalties of 10% for improper expenditures.