HB 540 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

Randolph County, distribution of county tobacco tax further provided for

HB 540 revises how Randolph County distributes the proceeds from its local tobacco tax, directly affecting various public services and non-profit organizations within the county. The bill amends an existing law to specify new percentage allocations for these tax proceeds. Under the revised plan, funds are directed to volunteer fire departments and the Randolph County Rescue Squad (32%), the Randolph County Industrial Development Council for economic development (24%), the county's general fund (24%), the Randolph County Equine and Agricultural Association (10%), and the Randolph County Animal Shelter (10%). It also includes stipulations on how certain recipients, such as fire departments and the Equine and Agricultural Association, may use their allocated funds, often prohibiting their use for salaries.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Apr 8, 2025 Signed May 2, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 4 edits · May 2, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was finalized as an enrolled version after being introduced, with substantive changes to how tobacco tax proceeds are distributed in Randolph County. The main policy change involves adding stricter eligibility requirements for volunteer fire departments receiving funding and clarifying the distribution percentages among various county entities.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on Randolph County tobacco tax distribution, but eligibility criteria for receiving funds were expanded to include compliance requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Added requirement that volunteer fire departments must meet minimum state standards set by the Alabama Forestry Commission and be recognized by the Randolph County Volunteer Firefighters Association to receive funding.

ENFORCEMENT

New provision allowing the association to deny funding to noncompliant fire departments after providing proper notice and a reasonable time period to correct deficiencies.

FISCAL

Clarified that 32% of proceeds are split between volunteer fire departments and the Randolph County Rescue Squad (one share each), with specific usage restrictions for fire protection and emergency medical services.

TECHNICAL

Formatting changes including bill number updates (SLJU387-1 to SLJU387-2), page numbering adjustments, and conversion from introduced to enrolled status with signature lines for legislative approval.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 866

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Local Legislation )

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 771

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Local Legislation)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors