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A RESOLUTION OPPOSING SB316 AND HB441
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WHEREAS, SB316 eliminates the delivery license fee for any out-of-jurisdiction businesses which sell and deliver goods and services into a municipality; and
WHEREAS, HB441 exempts qualified home health care or hospice agencies or qualified providers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics or health care supplies unless said businesses have a headquarters or branch office located within that jurisdiction or has gross receipts of $75,000 or more within that jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, businesses that provide goods and services within the corporate limits take advantage of the financial and other benefits they receive from the municipality including, but not limited to, the use of city streets and roads, the potential use of police and fire protection, and the potential use of ambulances or rescue services; and
WHEREAS, revenue collected from delivery licensing provides a financial means for defraying the costs of providing essential municipal services; and
WHEREAS, monies collected from business licensing are used not just for revenue purposes but to protect citizens by helping provide essential services; and
WHEREAS, SB 316 and HB 441, if enacted, would cost the City of Foley and municipalities statewide significant losses in general fund revenue; and
WHEREAS, legislatively carving out this type of business from the coverage of municipal business licensing creates fundamental unfairness to other businesses and is a slippery slope as other businesses and industries start to request similar legislative limitations on municipal license authority which could potentially cost municipalities significant losses in revenue thereby resulting in a potential for devastating effects on the quality of life of citizens here in the City and statewide.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Foley, Alabama, as follows:
SECTION 1: That the Council expresses its strong opposition to SB 316 and HB 441 or any similar legislation that would further restrict municipalities' authority to properly license business that transacted within municipalities.
SECTION 2: That the Council lobbies its legislative delegation to oppose the bills’ passage.
SECTION 3: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption as required by law.