Budget & Taxes (Fees & Licensing)

SB 35 consolidates Alabama's current vessel registration fees (a $5 fixed fee plus a length-based fee) into a single annual fee structure. It directly affects all boat owners in Alabama who register their vessels, as the bill replaces the previous two-fee system with one unified fee. The key mechanism specifies that $5 from each registration fee goes to the State Reservoir Management Grant Fund, while the remainder (excluding the $2 processing fee) funds the State Water Safety Fund for administrative costs. The bill also updates code language for clarity but does not change the staggered registration system or vessel classification rules.

HB 315 authorizes Alabama's Class 1 municipalities (like Birmingham) to require property owners to register vacant residential or commercial buildings within 30 days of vacancy or ownership change. Owners must pay an initial registration fee and annual supplemental fees, while municipalities must establish a database and enforce maintenance standards to address blight, safety risks, and public costs associated with vacant properties. The bill aims to help cities identify vacant properties, reduce neighborhood deterioration, and offset expenses like inspections and nuisance abatement. This legislation is currently pending in the House Committee on Jefferson County Legislation.

HB 230 permanently removes the expiration date for annual fees paid by nursing facilities in Alabama. Currently, nursing homes pay three separate assessments (a primary privilege assessment, a supplemental assessment, and a surcharge) per bed, which were set to expire on August 31, 2028. The bill makes these fees permanent, requiring nursing homes to continue paying them without a sunset date. Additionally, it updates Medicaid reimbursement rules to ensure these fees are included in per diem rates for nursing home care, aligning with specific administrative code changes effective May 1, 2026. This directly affects all nursing facilities operating in Alabama that participate in the Medicaid program.

SB 143 removes the expiration date (August 31, 2028) for three assessments on nursing home beds in Alabama, making them permanent. These include a supplemental privilege assessment, a secondary supplemental privilege assessment, and a monthly surcharge per bed. The bill ensures nursing facilities will continue paying these costs, and they remain fully included in Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes. This directly affects all Alabama nursing facilities participating in Medicaid, as their reimbursement rates will continue to account for these assessments.