The GadsdenTimes reports from the statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama that legislators continue to discuss moving tornado shelter inspection from the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission (AMHC) to the state’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) when the shelters are eligible to be reimbursed with federal funding. MHProNews.com has learned the AMHC currently inspects residential and non-residential prefabricated storm shelters but does not have the personnel to inspect all shelters. The normal fee is $175 but the commission is not now charging fees. The EMA has no inspectors on staff. One version of the bill would eliminate the AMHC’s authority to inspect shelters that do not have electrical or sewer hookups. The original bill mandated inspections for residential shelters for up to 12 people, but that was amended to cover shelters for up to 16 people that the EMA was given the authority to inspect. The measure exempts privately-owned shelters in homes. A final version of the bill is expected soon.
