County Commission | The Magazine August 2017 | Page 29

NEWS YOU CAN USE
the Alabama Department of Revenue will distribute the
proceeds of the tax on a monthly, rather than quarterly, basis
and that the Department can disclose the names of those
companies participating in the program. The other changes
are designed to allow the internet-based companies
which volunteer to remit the substitute tax to remain in the
program, under very specific circumstances, should their
relationship with the state of Alabama be changed. The act
was effective July 1, 2017.
The Association expresses its gratitude to Sen. Trip Pittman
and Rep. Rod Scott, who sponsored this legislation and the
original 2013 bill that is expected to provide more than $10
million to counties during this fiscal year.
TAX SALES AND EXCESS FUNDS
Act 2017-130 by Sen. Pittman and Rep. Wood
For the last several years the Association has worked to
clarify the procedures for the distribution of proceeds of
the so-called “overbid” for those properties that are sold for
unpaid taxes. Earlier amendments to the statute have led
to litigation regarding open tax years. This ACCA priority bill
confirmed prior distributions made by county officials and
clarified the specific requirements that are to be followed
when distributing the moneys or transferring them to the
county general fund. The Association will provide details
on this new law to county administrators during the ACCA
Annual Convention. The act was effective on July 3, 2017.
The Association is grateful to Sen. Trip Pittman for his
leadership in making repeated revisions to this confusing statute
and to former Calhoun County Commissioner and Rep. Randy
Wood for his sponsorship in the House of Representatives.
BID THRESHOLD FOR REPAIR OF
HEAVY EQUIPMENT
Act 2017-466 by Rep. Hurst and Sen. Beasley
The Alabama Competitive Bid Law exempts certain
expenditures for repair parts and the repair of heavy
equipment costing $15,000 or less. However, the repair of
heavy-duty equipment often exceeds the $15,000 threshold
limit, requiring the county to go through the competitive bid
process. This often results in lost time and delays at the
county level. This bill raises the repair exemption threshold
from $15,000 to $22,500. The new exemption threshold
was determined by the rate of inflation applied to the last
adjustment to the threshold limit.
This change should make it easier for counties and county
engineers to use a more efficient and expedient path for
heavy equipment repairs. The new law was part of the
Association’s priority legislation for the 2017 session and
was effective May 26, 2107.
Appreciation is expressed to former Talladega County
Commissioner and Rep. Steve Hurst for his sponsorship
and leadership in the House as well as Sen. Billy Beasley
who helped ensure that the legislation passed on the final
day of the session.
ALABAMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT
TRAINING INSTITUTE
Act 2017-440 by Rep. Blackshear and Sen. Waggoner
The membership of the Board of Directors of the Alabama
Local Government Training Institute has been exp anded by
this new act. Two county members are added to the board
and the minimum number of persons necessary to make
a quorum is reduced in this ACCA Priority Legislation. The
law also allows the ALGTI Board to award certification to
local programs (such as EMA programs) that meet statewide
standards. The act was effective May 26, 2017.
The Association expresses its appreciation to Rep. Chris
Blackshear for his sponsorship in the House and to Sen.
Jabo Waggoner for making the passage of this new law a
priority during the last work day of the session.
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COUNTY COMMISSION | 29