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Committee advances SB 307 to require counties, cities to post audits, budgets online with delayed compliance for communities without internet
Summary
A Senate committee voted to report SB 307 favorably after Senator Kelly said the bill would require counties and municipalities to publish audits, monthly expenditures and budgets online, and after an amendment delayed compliance for jurisdictions without internet until Oct. 1, 2028.
A Senate committee voted to report SB 307 favorably after Senator Kelly offered an amendment that delays the compliance date for jurisdictions that do not have internet service or an existing website.
Senator Kelly described the bill as requiring “online publication of financials of audits, monthly expenditures, and budgets of counties and municipalities.” He said the amendment delays the deadline for jurisdictions without internet or websites until Oct. 1, 2028 and allows a temporary avenue for residents to obtain records while those jurisdictions set up online access.
The substitute amendment was presented by Senator Melson with Senator Kelly seconding the substitute. The committee proceeded to consider the bill as amended and took public testimony.
Caleb Beck, legislative counsel for the Alabama League of Municipalities, spoke in opposition. Beck said the league supports transparency but opposes a one-size-fits-all mandate that would place a resource burden on small cities and towns. He noted some municipal clerks are part-time or volunteer and that “about 30% of our municipalities do not have a website currently.” He said many concerns can be addressed locally and that residents who want records can use the public-records process established in the new public-records law passed last year.
Beck said the requirements could be “costly and cumbersome” for smaller jurisdictions because of technical and staffing constraints. He urged the committee to defer to local decision-making and noted that larger cities already post the information online.
After the hearing the committee recorded a favorable recommendation on SB 307 as amended.
The record in the committee includes the amendment that (1) delays the compliance date to Oct. 1, 2028 for jurisdictions that lack internet or a website, and (2) provides an interim mechanism for residents to inspect or obtain the documents until online systems are in place. The transcript does not specify implementation details, staffing costs, or a state funding mechanism to help jurisdictions meet the online-posting requirement.
