Alabama League of Municipalities
From Sunshine Review
The Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) is a taxpayer-funded lobbying association in Alabama. It was first organized in 1935. At that time, it had about 100 Alabama municipalities in its membership base.
In 2009, slightly more than 440 municipalities in Alabama belong to the organization. The member-municipalities pay dues for their membership; those dues are funded by taxpayer dollars, and ALM engages in lobbying activities, which is why ALM is identified as a taxpayer-funded lobbying association. It is represented by the National League of Cities.[1]
[edit] 2009 Lobbying Priorities
- Publication of municipal ordinances: The ALM is committed to getting SB333 and HB427 [2] passed. The main focus of these bill's is to stop the full publication of ordinances of general and permanent operation. The ALA instead will lobby for the publication of synopsis of ordinances. [2]
- Pre-Zoning proposed annexation territory: Currently land newly annexed by a municipality is referred to as "unzoned" or "temporarily" zoned prior to receiving a formal zoning classification. The ALM is committed to lobbying for the passage of SB283 and HB359 these bills propose legislation that will provide a zoning classification for newly annexed land prior to its actual annexation. [2]
- Mayor's voting power in municipalities of 12,000 or less: A recent Alabama Supreme Court decision has allowed for ambiguity regarding a mayor's vote in all matters that come before a city council in a municipality of less than 12,000. The ALA wants to amend Section 11-43-160 of the Alabama Code (1975) so that a mayor's vote may be included in city council votes of municipalities that have less than 12,000 inhabitants and supports SB300 and HB374. [2]
- Appointing alternates on municipal planning commissions: Current Alabama law provides for municipal planning commissions to be composed of nine members. However, due to low turnout at some votes, the ALA supports SB156 and HB401 which would allow a mayor to appoint two alternate members of the commission. [2]
- Amending residency requirements for appointment to industrial development boards: Presently, members of industrial development boards have to be residents of the municipality the board is located in. The ALA supports SB229 and HB446 which would amend Section 11-54-80 Alabama Code (1975) the bills would allow for a mayor appoint two members of the board who live outside the municipalities limits - but inside the board's limits. [2]
- Amending subdivison regulation jurisdiction of municipal planning commisions: Currently, municipal planning commissions are allowed to enforce subdivision regulations five miles beyond the municipalities corporate limits. The ALA supports SB422 and HB597, these bills would partially retract the five mile limit on subdivision regulation that municipal planning boards currently have. [2]
- Municipal Approval of Beer Licenses: Currently muncipal consent is requisite prior to gaining a liquor or wine license. The ALA hopes to introduce legislation that would impose the same requisite consent on beer licenses. [2]
- Appropriation for wastewater treatment SRF and the Alabama drinking water finance authority: Currently there is a State Revolving Fund for water treatment (SRF) and for the Alabama Drinking Water Finance Authority. Every Year the ALA seeks to lobby the state legislature to increase funding for the revolving fund. [2]
- Modify Alabama election law: The ALA supports HB799 which supports the modification of current Alabama election law. [2]
