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Final Legislative Report 2014 | ACCA Bills | Other Bills of Interest | Monitored Bills | Local Bills

There were several bills that ACCA monitored closely during the session that did not become law in 2014 — in large part due to the many calls, emails, and visits to legislators made by county commissioners and staff pointing out potential problems with the bills and asking that the measures not pass unless language removing county objections was included!

Many of these had been amended during the legislative process to remove county government concerns. It is anticipated that all of them will return in some fashion in 2015. Please contact Sallie Gowan (sgowan@alabamacounties.org) if you would like to see the latest versions of any of these proposals.

Open Meetings Law
SB 191 by Sen. Cam Ward
This bill, which was supported by the Alabama Press Association, was intended to prohibit “serial meetings” held as a way to circumvent the notice and open meeting provisions of the law. Serial meetings was defined in the bill as a series of gatherings of members of the governmental body with less than a quorum present at each individual gathering. The bill also attempted to ensure that citizens could successfully bring suit for violations of the statute. The bill was amended several times throughout the process to, among other things, narrow the definition of serial meeting. In fact, the bill died on the last night of the session because the House and Senate adjourned before the Senate had an opportunity to concur in amendments added in the House. The Press Association had agreed to ACCA-requested changes early in the session, and the bill was not opposed by counties in its final form. This bill was a high priority for the Press Association this year and will surely be refiled next year. 

Amendments to Alabama’s Gun Law
SB 354 by Sen. Scott Beason
This bill would have allowed citizens to carry firearms in vehicles and on certain properties without obtaining a “pistol permit” or keeping the firearm concealed. Although the sponsor of the bill accepted ACCA-requested amendments to ensure that counties could continue to prohibit guns in county buildings and workplaces, there was great concern that passage of this bill would have significantly reduced revenues generated for the sheriff’s office from the pistol permit. Sheriffs across the state were also extremely concerned about public safety issues and were instrumental in keeping the bill from coming out of the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee during the last days of the session. 

Tax Valuation for Section 42 Housing Properties
HB 458 by Rep. Oliver Robinson
The bill to establish special valuation rules for certain subsidized housing properties failed to pass the House when a procedural vote required to bring a bill up for debate was soundly defeated. Counties and local taxing officials strongly opposed this bill throughout the session since passage of the bill would have almost eliminated property taxes on these developments. It is anticipated that those seeking these tax benefits will return in 2015 with a new proposal for preferable treatment. But counties and tax officials are applauded for their very successful efforts in keeping this dangerous measure from becoming law. 

Examiners to State Auditor
HB 350 by Rep. Ed Henry
The bill to move the functions of the Examiners of Public Accounts to the state auditor passed the House largely along party lines, but was never considered on the Senate floor. The bill’s sponsor had conceded to several changes requested by ACCA to ensure that the essential functions and operation of the department would not be altered if the state auditor took over administration. However, counties remained somewhat uncomfortable with this proposal that had the potential to drastically change the process for audit of county records. The ACCA staff appreciates the cooperative manner in which those supporting this bill worked to address county concerns. As the bill is likely to be introduced in 2015, ACCA will monitor closely and work to resolve any remaining issues. 

Windmill Regulations
SB 12 by Sen. Phil Williams
The bill that would have required permitting and regulation of wind energy conversion systems by the Public Service Commission (PSC) passed the Senate, but met with strong opposition in the House and was carried over after extended debate. This bill had been amended early in the session to, among other things, remove requirements for local approval of these projects before they were submitted to the PSC for permitting. However, the House sponsor tried to reinstate the local approval provision, and responding to quickly-made calls from county officials back home, supporters of county government actively opposed the bill during the House debate. It is very likely this bill will be introduced again in 2015, and it will again be necessary for counties to monitor this legislation very carefully to ensure the county governing body is not charged with approval of these developments. 

School Bus Cameras
SB 144 by Sen. Jimmy Holley
For the third year in a row, ACCA opposed legislation that would have allowed school boards to approve use of school bus cameras and look to county officials and law enforcement to assist with administration and enforcement of the program. Due in large part to concerns raised by ACCA, supporters of this proposal agreed to a compromise which eliminated county government participation. The bill passed the Senate and was in position for passage in House on the last day of the session, but the bill was not debated prior to adjournment. It will surely be introduced again in 2015.