reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
AL Code § 9-8-51 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-51 - Creation Authorized.

Section 9-8-51Creation authorized. Subdistricts of a soil and water conservation district, as defined by the laws of this state, may be formed in any watershed area in such soil and water conservation district for the purpose of developing and executing plans and programs relating to any phase of conservation of water, water usage, flood prevention, flood control, erosion prevention and control of erosion, floodwater and sediment damages. Such subdistricts shall be known as watershed conservancy districts. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §1; Acts 1969, No. 421, p. 822, §1.)
AL Code § 9-8-52 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-52 - Lands Which May Be Embraced in Districts.

Section 9-8-52Lands which may be embraced in districts. The land area embraced in any watershed conservancy district must be contiguous and must lie within a well-defined watershed. The area shall not include lands not included within a soil and water conservation district or lands embraced within another watershed conservancy district. Such districts may embrace lands lying in one or more soil and water conservation districts. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §2.)
AL Code § 9-8-53 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-53 - Petition for Formation of District - Generally.

Section 9-8-53Petition for formation of district - Generally. When 25 or more landowners within a proposed watershed conservancy district or, if less than 50 landowners are involved, a majority of the landowners in such proposed district desire to form a watershed conservancy district, they shall file a petition with the board of supervisors of the soil and water conservation district. Such petition shall define the boundaries of the proposed watershed conservancy district, the number of acres of land involved, reasons for requesting creation of such district, the proposed name for such watershed conservancy district and other information pertinent to such proposal. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §3.)
AL Code § 9-8-54 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-54 - Petition for Formation of District - Where Proposed District Lies in More Than One Soil and Water Conservation District.

Section 9-8-54Petition for formation of district - Where proposed district lies in more than one soil and water conservation district. If the proposed watershed conservancy district lies in more than one soil and water conservation district, the petition may be presented to the board of supervisors of any one of such soil and water conservation districts, and the supervisors of all such districts shall act as a joint board of supervisors in the formation and supervision of such a watershed conservancy district. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §4.)
AL Code § 9-8-55 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-55 - Hearing Upon Petition; Denial or Approval of Petition.

Section 9-8-55Hearing upon petition; denial or approval of petition. (a) Within 30 days after such petition has been filed with the board of supervisors, it shall cause due notice to be given of a proposed hearing upon the practicability and feasibility of creating such water conservancy district. All interested parties shall have the right to attend such hearing and be heard. If it shall appear at the hearing that other lands should be included or that lands included in the petition should be excluded, the board of supervisors may permit such inclusion or exclusion, provided the land area involved still meets the requirements of Section 9-8-52. (b) If it appears upon the hearing that it may be desirable to include within the proposed district territory outside of the area within which due notice of the hearing has been given, the hearing shall be adjourned and due notice of a further hearing shall be given throughout the entire area considered for inclusion in the district and a further hearing shall be held. After final hearing, if the board of supervisors determines upon the facts presented at the hearing and upon other available information that there is need in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare for such a district to function in the territory considered, it shall make and record the determination and shall define, by metes and bounds or by other satisfactory description, the boundaries of the district. (c) If the board determines after the hearing that it is not feasible for such district to function in the territory considered, it shall make and record the determination and shall deny the petition. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §5.)
AL Code § 9-8-56 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-56 - Referendum Upon Creation of District - Notice of Referendum; Appointment of Polling Superintendent, Etc.

Section 9-8-56Referendum upon creation of district - Notice of referendum; appointment of polling superintendent, etc. After the board of supervisors has made and recorded a determination that there is need in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare for creation of the proposed watershed conservancy district, it shall consider the question whether the operation of a district within the proposed boundaries with the powers conferred upon such districts in Section 9-8-61 is administratively practicable and feasible. To assist the board of supervisors in this determination the board shall, within a reasonable time after entry of the finding that there is need for the organization of the district and the determination of the boundaries of the district, hold a referendum within the proposed district upon the proposition of the creation of the district and to cause due notice of such referendum to be given. Such notice shall state the date of holding the referendum, the hours of opening and closing the polls and shall designate one or more places within the proposed district as polling places. The board shall appoint a polling superintendent and other necessary polling officers giving equal representation to the proponents and opponents of the question involved. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §6.)
AL Code § 9-8-57 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-57 - Referendum Upon Creation of District - Contents of Ballot; Qualifications of Voters; Voting Procedure.

Section 9-8-57Referendum upon creation of district - Contents of ballot; qualifications of voters; voting procedure. The question to be voted on shall be submitted by ballots upon which appear the words: "For creation of _____ Watershed Conservancy District" "Against creation of _____ Watershed Conservancy District" A square shall follow each proposition. The ballot shall also contain a direction to insert an "X" mark in the square following one or the other of the propositions as the voter may favor or oppose creation of the district. The ballot shall set forth the boundaries of the proposed district as determined by the board of supervisors. Only owners of lands lying within the boundaries of the territory, as determined by the board, shall be eligible to vote in the referendum. Qualified voters may vote by absentee ballot in such referendum under rules and regulations prescribed by the board of supervisors. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §7.)
AL Code § 9-8-58 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-58 - Referendum Upon Creation of District - Counting, etc., of Votes; Certification, Recordation and Filing of Results.

Section 9-8-58Referendum upon creation of district - Counting, etc., of votes; certification, recordation and filing of results. The votes shall be counted by the election officers at the close of the polls, and report of the results, along with the ballots, shall be delivered to the polling superintendent, who shall certify the results to the board of supervisors. If a majority of the votes cast favor creation of the district, the board of supervisors shall certify such results to the judge of probate of the county or counties involved. Upon proper recording of such action, such watershed conservancy district shall be duly created. After recording, the certification shall be filed with the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §8.)
AL Code § 9-8-60 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-60 - Board of Directors - Compensation.

Section 9-8-60Board of directors - Compensation. Members of the board of directors shall receive no salaries but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenditures incurred in the performance of their duties, upon approval by the board of supervisors. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §12.)
AL Code § 9-8-61 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-61 - Board of Directors - Powers and Duties Generally.

Section 9-8-61Board of directors - Powers and duties generally. Subject to the approval of the board of supervisors, the board of directors of a watershed conservancy district shall have power to: (1) Acquire, by purchase, gift, grant, bequest or devise, or through condemnation proceedings held in the manner provided by Chapter 1 of Title 18 of this code, such lands or rights-of-way as are necessary for the exercise of any authorized function of the district; (2) Construct, improve, operate and maintain such structures as may be necessary for the exercise of any authorized function of the district; (3) Borrow such money as is necessary for the purpose of acquiring rights-of-way and establishing, constructing, reconstructing, repairing, enlarging and maintaining such structures and improvements as are required by the district in the performance of its functions, and issue, negotiate and sell its bonds as provided in Section 9-8-62; provided, that all contracts made and all bonds issued by a watershed conservancy district under the provisions of this article shall be solely and exclusively obligations of the district and shall not be an obligation or debt of the State of Alabama or any county or municipality therein; (4) Sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any of its property or interests therein in furtherance of the purposes provided for by this article; (5) Make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary and convenient to the exercise of its powers; (6) Sue and be sued in the name of the district; (7) Cooperate with or act as agent for the United States or any of its agencies or the State of Alabama or any of its agencies or any county or municipality in connection with the acquisition, construction, operation or administration of any project within the boundaries of the district; (8) Accept donations, gifts and contributions in money, services, materials or otherwise from the United States or its agencies or from the State of Alabama or its agencies or from any county or municipality or from any individual and use or expend such moneys, services, materials or other such contributions in carrying out the provisions of this article; and (9) Subject to the approval of the board of supervisors of the soil and water conservation district, employ such employees as the board may determine and fix their compensation, qualifications and duties and delegate to the chairman of the board or any member or employee of the board such powers and duties as it may deem proper. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §10.)
AL Code § 9-8-62 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-62 - Issuance of Bonds.

Section 9-8-62Issuance of bonds. (a) Bonds authorized by Section 9-8-61 shall not be issued until proposed by order or resolution of the board of directors specifying the purpose for which the funds are to be used and the proposed undertaking, the amount of bonds to be issued and the rate of interest they are to bear. A copy of the order or resolution shall be certified to the board of supervisors. (b) The board of supervisors shall conduct a hearing on such proposal after giving due notice of such hearing. If it appears that the proposal is within the scope and purpose of this article and meets all other requirements of the law, the proposal shall be submitted to the landowners of the watershed conservancy district by referendum under supervision of the board of supervisors. (c) The provisions of Sections 9-8-56 through 9-8-58 as to notice, qualifications of voters, absentee voting and manner of holding referendum elections in organizing a watershed conservancy district shall apply to the referendum held under this section. If two thirds of the landowners voting favor the proposal, such bonds may be issued. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §11.)
AL Code § 9-8-63 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-63 - Addition of Lands to Districts.

Section 9-8-63Addition of lands to districts. (a) Any one or more owners of land may petition the board of supervisors to have their lands added to a watershed conservancy district. Such petition shall define the boundaries of the land desired to be annexed, the number of acres of land involved and other information pertinent to such proposal. When the boundary described embraces lands of others than the petitioners, the petition shall so state and shall be signed by 25 or more of the landowners in the territory described if 50 or more such owners are involved, or by a majority if less than 50 landowners are involved. (b) Within 30 days after such petition is filed, the board shall cause due notice to be given of a hearing on such petition. All interested parties shall have a right to attend such hearing and be heard. The board shall determine whether the lands described in the petition or any portion thereof shall be included in the district. If all the landowners in the territory involved are not petitioners, a referendum shall be held within such territory as provided in Sections 9-8-56 through 9-8-58 before making a final determination. If it is determined that such land should be added, this fact shall be certified by the board of supervisors to the judge of probate of the county or counties involved. After recording, the certification shall be filed with the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §13.)
AL Code § 9-8-64 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-64 - Detachment of Lands From Districts.

Section 9-8-64Detachment of lands from districts. The owner or owners of lands which have not been, are not and cannot be benefited by their inclusion in the watershed conservancy district may petition the board of supervisors to have such lands detached. The petition shall describe such lands and state the reasons why they should be detached. A hearing shall be held within 30 days after the petition is received. Due notice of such hearing shall be given at least 10 days before the hearing. If it is determined by the board of supervisors that such lands shall be detached, such determination shall be certified to the judge of probate of each county in which any portion of such lands lie. After recording, the certification shall be filed with the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §14.)
AL Code § 9-8-65 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-65 - Discontinuance.

Section 9-8-65Discontinuance. (a) At any time after five years from the organization of a watershed conservancy district, 25 or more landowners within a district or, if less than 50 landowners are involved, a majority of the landowners in such district may file a petition with the board of supervisors praying that the existence of the district be discontinued. The petition shall state the reasons for discontinuance and that all obligations of the district have been met. (b) After giving notice, the board of supervisors may conduct such hearings on the petition as may be necessary to assist it in making a determination. (c) Within 60 days after the petition is filed, a referendum shall be held and conducted under the supervision of the board of supervisors in the same manner as a referendum is required to be held and conducted under the provisions of Sections 9-8-56 through 9-8-58. No informalities in the conduct of the referendum or in any matters relating to the referendum shall invalidate it or its result if due notice of the referendum has been given as provided in subsection (b) of this section. (d) If a majority of the votes cast in such referendum favor the discontinuance of the district and it is found that all the obligations have been met, the board of supervisors shall make a determination that the watershed conservancy district shall be discontinued. A copy of the determination shall be certified to the judge of probate of the county or counties involved for recording. After recording, the certification shall be filed with the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §15.)
AL Code § 9-8-66 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-66 - Supervision of District When Soil and Water Conservation District Discontinued.

Section 9-8-66Supervision of district when soil and water conservation district discontinued. If any supervising soil and water conservation district is discontinued, the county commission of the county or counties involved shall serve in the same supervising capacity over the watershed conservancy district as the board of supervisors. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §16.)
AL Code § 9-8-67 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 8 - Soil and Water Conservation Generally.|Article 3 - Watershed Conservancy Districts.|Section 9-8-67 - Exemption From Taxation.

Section 9-8-67Exemption from taxation. The property and interests therein acquired by any watershed conservancy district organized under the provisions of this article shall be exempt from all state, county or other taxation. (Acts 1957, No. 517, p. 705, §17.)
AL Code § 9-9-1 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 9 - Water Management and Drainage.|Article 1 - Water Management Districts.|Section 9-9-1 - Short Title.

Section 9-9-1Short title. This article shall be known as the "Alabama Water Management Act." (Acts 1965, No. 685, p. 1246, §1.)
AL Code § 9-9-2 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 9 - Water Management and Drainage.|Article 1 - Water Management Districts.|Section 9-9-2 - Definitions.

Section 9-9-2Definitions. Whenever used in this article, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) NOTICE BY PUBLICATION. Unless otherwise specified, such notice shall consist of publication once in each of three consecutive weeks (three insertions) in some newspaper having general circulation in the county or counties wherein the land in the water management district is located, the last insertion to be made at least 15 days prior to the date fixed for the hearing of said notice, and it shall not be necessary that the publication shall be made on the same day in each of the three weeks, but not less than 14 days, excluding the day of the first publication, shall intervene between the first publication and the last publication. When a district includes lands in two or more counties, such notice shall be published in each county, and it will be sufficient to set out only the lands in the county in which the notice is published. If there is no newspaper published in the county in which the lands included within a water management district are situated, then such publication shall be made in a newspaper published in an adjoining county. It shall not be necessary for a notice to name the parties interested, and said notice shall have all the force and effect of a summons served personally on those owning lands within the district. (2) COURT. Unless some other court is specifically designated, such term shall be construed to mean court of probate. (3) BOARD OF WATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSIONERS or BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. The board of water management commissioners. (4) VIEWERS. The board of viewers. (5) PERSON. Any individual, partnership, stock company or corporation. (6) DISTRICT. Water management district. (7) SWAMP and OVERFLOWED LANDS. Such terms shall not be construed to apply alone to the present classification of lands under the laws of this state, but shall extend to and include all lands that need drainage or protection from overflow, regardless of former classification. (8) LANDOWNER. Any property owner who owns partial or full interest in lands in the benefited area or any property owner who owns partial or full interest in over 10 acres of land outside the benefited area within the district. (Acts 1965, No. 685, p. 1246, §51.)
AL Code § 9-9-3 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 9 - Water Management and Drainage.|Article 1 - Water Management Districts.|Section 9-9-3 - Declaration of Benefits of Drainage, etc.; Duty of Soil and Water Conservation Committee.

Section 9-9-3Declaration of benefits of drainage, etc.; duty of Soil and Water Conservation Committee. The establishing of proper works of improvement for the drainage of wet, swamp and overflowed lands of the state and for flood prevention or the conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water within the state is declared to promote the public health, to aid agriculture and to be in the interest of the public welfare and convenience. The State Soil and Water Conservation Committee is hereby charged with the duty of cooperating with persons desiring to form water management districts and of aiding and advising in such development. (Acts 1965, No. 685, p. 1246, §2.)
AL Code § 9-9-4 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.|Chapter 9 - Water Management and Drainage.|Article 1 - Water Management Districts.|Section 9-9-4 - Who May Sign Petitions.

Section 9-9-4Who may sign petitions. All petitions provided for under this article may be signed by women, whether married or single, provided they own land in the proposed district; guardians may sign for their wards, and trustees, executors and administrators may sign for the estates represented by them; and, if the signature of any corporation is attested by its corporate seal, the same shall be sufficient evidence of the assent of the corporation. (Acts 1965, No. 685, p. 1246, §50.)