Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB307

Introduced
4/8/25  
Refer
4/8/25  

Caption

Counties and municipalities, online publication of financial statements, audits, expenditures, and budgets required

Impact

The introduction of SB307 is expected to significantly impact state laws regarding local government financial reporting. By enforcing online publication, this bill aims to foster greater scrutiny of public expenditures and fiscal management at the county and municipal levels. This shift towards transparency is anticipated to encourage local governments to maintain better financial practices and be more accountable to their constituents.

Summary

SB307 mandates the online publication of financial statements, audits, monthly expenditures, and budgets by counties and municipalities in Alabama. Currently, there is no obligation for these local governments to provide such financial information online, which has raised concerns regarding transparency and accountability. With the passage of this bill, all county commissions and municipalities will be required to make their financial data accessible to the public through their official websites, enhancing the availability of critical financial information to citizens.

Contention

While the bill is positioned as a mechanism for increasing transparency, there may be concerns related to the feasibility of compliance for smaller jurisdictions that struggle with maintaining an official website or the resources to manage the required disclosures. Opponents may argue that the mandated publication could burden local governments with additional administrative tasks. Supporters counter that the long-term benefits of having an informed public and enhanced accountability outweigh these potential challenges.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AL SB70

Coalition Against Domestic Violence, appropriation, operations plan and audited financial statement required, quarterly and end-of-year reports required.

AL HB135

Coalition Against Domestic Violence, appropriation, operations plan and audited financial statement required, quarterly and end-of-year reports required.

AL HB164

Consumer Protection; online distribution of material harmful to minors, prohibited; online age-verification requirements, required

AL SB336

Research and Development Corridors; establishment of by counties and Class 1 municipalities as public corporation authorized; provide for the powers of research and development corridors.

AL SB302

Fair Campaign Practices Act; definitions of electioneering communications, expenditures, and political action committee revised; reporting requirements for electioneering communications revised

AL SB149

Prisoners, increases the money paid by the state to counties to feed prisoners and the money deposited into the Emergency Prisoner Feeding Fund

AL SB242

Innovation Districts; establishment of by counties and municipalities as public corporation authorized; provide for the powers of innovation districts

AL HB349

Innovation Districts; establishment of by counties and municipalities as public corporation authorized; provide for the powers of innovation districts.

AL HB258

Simplified Sellers Use Tax; to levy an additional amount based on current sales tax rates to be distributed to municipalities and counties.

AL SB274

State Auditor; powers and duties revised; Division of Investigations created

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.