County Commission | The Magazine April 2018 | Page 38

NEWS YOU CAN USE
County Success on Goat Hill
Albritton
Ledbetter
Alabama counties achieved six of their
2018 Legislative Priorities during the
Regular Session. It was a true team effort
from county leaders who heeded the call
to “Get in the Game.”
Williams Ellis Standridge DISASTER RECOVERY AND STATE OF EMERGENCY
Act 2018-94
Sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton &
Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter
Signed by Gov. Kay Ivey
n In the midst of a natural disaster, external conditions
often make it difficult for local government bodies to
convene a quorum – delaying their ability to make
critical decisions that protect the community. This act
authorizes the county commission chairperson to declare
that emergency conditions exist in the county, following
an official declaration by the Governor’s Office. This
change will allow local governments to be more prompt
and efficient in the delivery of services to citizens during
emergency situations. This new law also authorizes the
Alabama Disaster Recovery Program to provide financial
assistance to individuals and certain nonprofit facilities in
addition to the financial assistance it already provides to
counties and municipalities.
Chambliss Chestnut Livingston Effective February 14, 2018
Scott
Pittman
38 | COUNTY COMMISSION
Dial
EVIDENCE IN TAXPAYER APPEALS
Act 2018-265
Sponsored by Sen. Phil Williams & Rep. Corley Ellis
Signed by Gov. Kay Ivey
n Prior to the enactment of this new law, a retailer
protesting or appealing a commercial property valuation
under the “Dark Store Theory” could buy or hide evidence
related to the property’s appraisal value. This ACCA
priority legislation amended Alabama law to require a