AMENDMENT 546 RATIFIED

Sales and Use Tax in Limestone County.

Section 1. There is hereby levied, in addition to all other taxes of every kind now imposed by law, and shall be collected as herein provided, a privilege or license tax against the person on account of the business activities and in the amount to be determined by the application of rates against gross sales, or gross receipts, as the case may be, as follows:

(a) Upon every person, firm, or corporation, (including the State of Alabama, the University of Alabama, Auburn University and all other institutions of higher learning in the state, whether such institutions be denominational, state, county or municipal institution, and any association or other agency or instrumentality of such institutions) engaged, or continuing within Limestone County in the business of selling at retail any tangible personal property whatsoever, including merchandise and commodities of every kind and character, (not including, however, bonds or other evidences of debts or stocks, nor sale or sales of material and supplies to any person for use in fulfilling a contract for the painting, repair or reconditioning of vessels, barges, ships and other watercraft and commercial fishing vessels of over five (5) tons load displacement as registered with the U.S. Coast Guard and licensed by the State of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources), an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the gross proceeds of sales of the business except where a different amount is expressly provided herein. Provided, however, that any person engaging or continuing in business as a retailer and wholesaler or jobber shall pay the tax required on the gross proceeds of retail sales of such business at the rates specified, when his books are kept so as to show separately the gross proceeds of sales of each business, and when his books are not so kept he shall pay the tax as retailer on the gross sales of the business.

(b) Upon every person, firm or corporation engaged, or continuing within Limestone County, the business of conducting, or operating, places of amusement or entertainment, billiard and pool rooms, bowling alleys, amusement devices, musical devices, theaters, opera houses, moving picture shows, vaudevilles, amusement parks, athletic contests, including wrestling matches, prize fights, boxing and wrestling exhibitions, football and baseball games, (including athletic contests conducted by or under the auspices of any educational institution within Limestone County, or any athletic association thereof or other association whether such institution or association be a denominational, a state, or county, or a municipal institution or association or a state, county, or city school, or other institution, association or school), skating rinks, race tracks, golf courses, or any other place at which any exhibition, display, amusement or entertainment is offered to the public or place or places where an admission fee is charged, including public bathing places, public dance halls of every kind and description with Limestone County, an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the gross receipts of any such business. Provided, however, not withstanding any language to the contrary in the prior portion of this subsection, the tax provisions so specified shall not apply to any athletic event conducted by a public primary or secondary school. The tax amount which would have been collected pursuant to this subsection shall continue to be collected by said public primary or secondary school but shall be retained by the school which collected it and shall be used by said school for school purposes.

(c) Upon every person, firm or corporation engaged or continuing within Limestone County in the business of selling at retail machines used in mining, quarrying, compounding, processing and manufacturing of tangible personal property, an amount equal to one-half percent (1/2 %) of the gross proceeds of the sale of such machines; provided, that the term "machines," as herein used, shall include machinery which is used for mining, quarrying, compounding, processing, or manufacturing tangible personal property, and the parts of such machines, attachments and replacements therefore which are made or manufactured for use on or in the operation of such machines and which are necessary to the operation of such machines and are customarily so used.

(d) Upon every person, firm or corporation engaged or continuing within Limestone County in the business of selling at retail any automotive vehicle or truck trailer, semi-trailer, house trailer or mobile home set-up materials and supplies including but not limited to steps, blocks, anchoring, cable pipes and any other materials pertaining thereto an amount equal to one-half percent (1/2 %) of the gross proceeds of sale of said automotive vehicle, truck trailer, semi-trailer, house trailer or mobile home set-up materials and supplies, provided, however, where a person subject to the tax provided for in this subsection withdraws from his stock in trade any automotive vehicle or truck trailer, semi-trailer or house trailer for use by him or by his employee or agent in the operation of such business, there shall be paid, in lieu of the tax levied herein, a fee of $0.00 per year or part thereof during which such automotive vehicle, truck trailer, semi-trailer, or house trailer shall remain the property of such person. Each such year or part thereof shall begin with the day or anniversary date, as the case may be, of such withdrawal and shall run for the twelve succeeding months or part thereof during which such automotive vehicle, truck trailer, or house trailer shall remain the property of such person.

Where any used automobile vehicle or truck trailer, semi-trailer or house trailer is taken in trade or in a series of trades, as a credit or part payment on the sale of a new or used vehicle, the tax levied herein shall be paid on the net difference, that is, the price of the new or used vehicle sold less the credit for the used vehicle taken in trade.

(e) Upon every person, firm or corporation engaged or continuing within Limestone County in the business of selling at retail any machine, machinery or equipment which is used in planting, cultivating and harvesting farm products, or used in connection with the production of agricultural produce or products, livestock or poultry on farms, and the parts of such machines, machinery or equipment, attachments and replacements therefore which are made or manufactured for use on or in the operation of such machine, machinery, or equipment, and which are necessary to and customarily used in the operation of such machine, machinery or equipment, an amount equal to one-half percent (1/2 %) of the gross proceeds of the sale thereof. Provided, however, the one-half percent (1/2 %) rate herein prescribed with respect to parts, attachments, and replacements shall not apply to any automotive vehicle or trailer designed primarily for public highway use, except farm trailers used primarily in the production and harvesting of agricultural commodities.

Where any used machine, machinery or equipment which is used in planting, cultivating, and harvesting farm products, or used in connection with the production of agricultural produce or products, livestock and poultry on farms is taken in trade or in a series of trades as a credit or part payment on a sale of a new or used machine, machinery or equipment, the tax levied herein shall be paid on the net difference, that is, the price of the new or used machine, machinery or equipment sold, less the credit for the used machine, machinery or equipment taken in trade.

(f) Upon every person, firm or corporation engaged or continuing within Limestone County in the business of selling through coin-operated dispensing machines, food and food products for human consumption, not including beverages other than coffee, milk, milk products and substitutes therefore, there is hereby levied a tax equal to one percent (1%) of the cost of such food, food products and beverages sold through such machines, which cost for the purpose of this subsection shall be the gross proceeds of sales of such business.

Section 2. (a) An excise tax is hereby imposed on the storage, use or other consumption in Limestone County of tangible personal property (not including materials and supplies bought for use in fulfilling a contract for the painting, repairing, or reconditioning of vessels, barges, ships and other watercraft and commercial fishing vessels of over five (5) tons load displacement as registered with the U.S. Coast Guard and licensed by the State of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) purchased at retail on or after the effective date of this amendment for storage, use or other consumption in Limestone County, except as provided in subsections (b), (c), and (d), at the rate of one percent (1%) of the sales price of such property.

(b) An excise tax is hereby imposed on the storage, use or other consumption in Limestone County of any machines used in mining, quarrying, compounding, processing, and manufacturing of tangible personal property purchased at retail on or after the effective date of this amendment at the rate of one half percent (1/2 %) of the sales price of any such machine; provided, that the term "machine" as herein used, shall include machinery which is used for mining, quarrying, compounding, processing, or manufacturing tangible personal property, and the parts of such machines, attachments and replacements therefore, which are made or manufactured for used on or in the operation of such machines and which are necessary to the operation of such machines and are customarily so used.

(c) An excise tax is hereby imposed on the storage, use or other consumption in Limestone County of any automotive vehicle or truck trailer, semi-trailer, house trailer or mobile home set-up materials and supplies including but not limited to steps, blocks, anchoring, cable pipes and any other materials pertaining thereto purchased at retail on or after the effective date of this amendment for storage, use or other consumption in Limestone County at the rate of one half percent (1/2 %) of the sales price of such automotive vehicle, truck trailer, semi-trailer, house trailer or mobile home set-up materials and supplies. Where any used automotive vehicle, truck trailer, semi-trailer or house trailer is taken in trade, or in a series of trades, as a credit or part payment on the sale of a new or used vehicle, the tax levied herein shall be paid on the net difference, that is, the price of the new or used vehicle sold less the credit for the used vehicle taken in trade.

(d) An excise tax is hereby levied and imposed on the storage, use or other consumption in Limestone County of any machine, machinery, or equipment which is used in planting, cultivating, and harvesting farm products, or used in connection with the production of agricultural produce or products, livestock, or poultry on farms, and the parts of such machines, machinery, or equipment, attachments and replacements therefore which are made or manufactured for use on or in the operation of such machine, machinery, or equipment, and which are necessary to and customarily used in the operation of such machine, machinery, or equipment, which is purchased at retail after the effective date of this amendment, for the storage, use or other consumption in Limestone County at the rate of one half percent (1/2 %) of the sales price of such property; regardless of whether the retailer is or is not engaged in the business in this County. Provided, however, the one half percent (1/2 %) rate herein prescribed with respect to parts, attachments, and replacements shall not apply to any automotive vehicle or trailer designed primarily for public highway use, except farm trailers used primarily in the production and harvesting of agricultural commodities. Where any used machine, machinery or equipment which is used in planting, cultivating, and harvesting farm products or used in connection with the production of agricultural produce or products, livestock, and poultry on farms is taken in trade or in a series of trades as a credit or part payment on a sale of a new or used machine, machinery, or equipment, the tax levied herein shall be paid on the net difference, that is, the price of the new or used machine, machinery, or equipment sold, less the credit for the used machine, machinery, or equipment taken in trade.

Section 3. The tax shall be collected by the State Department of Revenue at the same time and in the same manner as state sales and use taxes are collected. On or prior to the date the tax is due, each person subject to the tax shall file with the department a report in the form prescribed by the department. The report shall set forth, with respect to all sales and business transactions that are required to be used as a measure of the tax levied, a correct statement of the gross proceeds of all the sales and gross receipts of all business transactions. The report shall also include items of information pertinent to the tax as the department may require. Any person subject to the tax levied by this act may defer reporting credit sales until after their collection, and in the event the person defers reporting them, the person shall thereafter include in each monthly report all credit collections made during the preceding month, and shall pay the tax due at the time of filing the report. All reports filed with the department under this section shall be available for inspection by the county commission, or its designee.

Section 4. Each person engaging or continuing in a business subject to the tax levied by this amendment, shall add to the sales price or admission fee and collect from the purchaser or the person paying the admission fee the amount due by the taxpayer because of the sale or admission. It shall be unlawful for any person subject to the tax to fail or refuse to add to the sales price or admission fee and to collect from the purchaser or person paying the admission fee the amount required to be added to the sale or admission price. It shall be unlawful for any person subject to the tax levied to refund or offer to refund all or any part of the amount collected or to absorb or advertise directly or indirectly the absorption or refund of any portion of the tax.

Section 5. The tax shall constitute a debt due Limestone County. The tax, together with any interest and penalties, shall constitute and be secured by a lien upon the property of any person from whom the tax is due or who is required to collect the tax. The department shall collect the tax, enforce this amendment, and have and exercise all rights and remedies that the state or the department has for collection of the state sales and use tax. The department may employ special counsel as is necessary to enforce collection of the tax levied by this amendment and to enforce this amendment. The department shall pay the special counsel any fees it deems necessary and proper from the proceeds of the tax collected by it for Limestone County.

Section 6. All provisions of the state sales and use tax statutes with respect to the payment, assessment, and collection of the state sales and use tax, making of reports, keeping and preserving records, penalties for failure to pay the tax, promulgating rules and regulations with respect to the state sales and use tax, and the administration and enforcement of the state sales and use tax statutes which are not inconsistent with this amendment shall apply to the tax levied herein. The state Commissioner of Revenue and the department shall have and exercise the same powers, duties, and obligations with respect to the tax levied under this amendment that are imposed on the commissioner and department by the state sales and use tax statutes. All provisions of the state sales and use tax statutes that are made applicable by this amendment to the tax levied under this amendment, and to the administration and enforcement of this amendment, are incorporated by reference and made a part of this act as if fully set forth herein.

Section 7. The department shall charge Limestone County for collecting the tax levied under this act in an amount or percentage of total collections as may be agreed upon by the commissioner and the Limestone County Commission. The charge shall not exceed five percent of the total amount of the tax collected in the county. The charge may be deducted each month from the gross revenues from the tax before certification of the amount of the proceeds due Limestone County for that month. The Commissioner of Revenue shall pay into the State Treasury all amounts collected under this act, as the tax is received by the department on or before the first day of each successive month. The commissioner shall certify to the State Comptroller the amount collected and paid into the State Treasury for the benefit of Limestone County during the month immediately preceding the certification. The State Comptroller shall issue a warrant each month payable to the County Treasurer of Limestone County in an amount equal to the certified amount which shall be paid into the county general fund to be divided between the Athens City Board of Education and the Limestone County Board of Education based on the average daily attendance of the two school systems.

Section 8. Effective date of this tax should be the first day of the second month following approval by the qualified electors of Limestone County.