County Commission | The Magazine July 2019

NEWS YOU CAN USE Albritton Beasley Allen Chambliss County Success on Goat Hill Counties achieved seven of their 2019 Legislative Priorities during the Alabama Legislature’s 2019 Regular Session and First Special Session. It was a team effort from county leaders who put “67 Counties, One Voice” into action. Improving County Infrastructure Through Increased Fuel Taxes Ellis Holley Ledbetter Melson Orr Poole Act 2019-002 Sponsored by Rep. Bill Poole & Sen. Clyde Chambliss Signed by Gov. Kay Ivey Passed during the first special session of 2019, this new law will increase Alabama’s gasoline and diesel fuel taxes by 10 cents per gallon through 2021. The first increase of 6 cents will take place September 1, 2019 — bringing the state’s total excise tax on gasoline to $0.24 per gallon. An additional two cents will be added on October 1, 2020, and again on October 1, 2021. Effective October 1, 2023, the gasoline and undyed diesel excise tax rate will be adjusted by the average annual percentage change in the National Highway Construction Cost Index, with the increase or decrease of the excise tax rate not exceeding $.01 per gallon. Counties will receive 25 percent of the new revenue to put strictly toward road and bridge improvements and construction, fund matching, debt payment and joint projects. Under the new law, counties will also be able to save time and stretch their dollars by swapping their federal funds for $400,000 in state funds — and also participate in a $10-million local government grant program and a $30-million to $50-million, pay-as-you- go ATRIP-II program. Effective March 12, 2019. ï Utilizing Next-Generation 9-1-1 Technology Act 2019-070 Sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Holley & Rep. Debbie Wood Signed by Gov. Kay Ivey The Alabama Next Generation Emergency Network (ANGEN) is a communication technology system designed to streamline the routing process for 9-1-1 calls, reduce costs for 9-1-1 districts, and improve accuracy and redundancy issues in the current system. While the State 9-1-1 Board has been administering the program since 2013, it now has clear statutory authority to administer ANGEN under this new act. The law further makes a number of technical amendments to the general powers of the Board, enabling it to more effectively provide critical services and support to the state’s 9-1-1 districts. Effective July 1, 2019. ï Reynolds Scott Offering Better Local Retirement Benefits Waggoner Wood Act 2019-132 Sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner & Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter Signed by Gov. Kay Ivey Local government entities participating in the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) ï COUNTY COMMISSION | 27

County Commission | The Magazine July 2019 | Page 27