Duties and Operation of Filing Office.

Ala. Code tit. 7, art. 9A, pt. 5, div. 2

in effect

Ala. Code § 7-9A-519 Numbering, Maintaining, and Indexing Records; Communicating Information Provided in Records.

7-9A-519. Numbering, Maintaining, and Indexing Records; Communicating Information Provided in Records. (a) Filing office duties. For each record filed in a filing office, the filing office shall: (1) assign a unique number to the filed record; (2) create a record that bears the number assigned to the filed record and the date and time of filing; (3) maintain the filed record for public inspection; and (4) index the filed record in accordance with subsections (c), (d), and (e). (b) File number. By July 1, 2002, a file number must include a digit that: (1) is mathematically derived from or related to the other digits of the file number; and (2) aids the filing office in determining whether a number communicated as the file number includes a single-digit or transpositional error. (c) Indexing: General. Except as otherwise provided in subsections (d) and (e), the filing office shall: (1) index an initial financing statement according to the name of the debtor and index all filed records relating to the initial financing statement in a manner that associates with one another an initial financing statement and all filed records relating to the initial financing statement; and (2) index a record that provides a name of a debtor which was not previously provided in the financing statement to which the record relates also according to the name that was not previously provided. (d) Indexing: Real-property-related financing statement. If a financing statement is filed as a fixture filing or covers as-extracted collateral or timber to be cut, the filing office shall index it: (1) under the names of the debtor and of each owner of record shown on the financing statement as if they were the mortgagors under a mortgage of the real property described; and (2) to the extent that the law of this State provides for indexing of records of mortgages under the name of the mortgagee, under the name of the secured party as if the secured party were the mortgagee thereunder, or, if indexing is by description, as if the financing statement were a record of a mortgage of the real property described. (e) Indexing: Real-property-related assignment. If a financing statement is filed as a fixture filing or covers as-extracted collateral or timber to be cut, the filing office shall index an assignment filed under Section 7-9A-514(a) or an amendment filed under Section 7-9A-514(b): (1) under the name of the assignor as grantor; and (2) to the extent that the law of this State provides for indexing a record of the assignment of a mortgage under the name of the assignee, under the name of the assignee. (f) Retrieval and association capability. The filing office shall maintain a capability: (1) to retrieve a record by the name of the debtor and by the file number assigned to the initial financing statement to which the record relates; and (2) to associate and retrieve with one another an initial financing statement and each filed record relating to the initial financing statement. (g) Removal of debtor’s name. The filing office may not remove a debtor’s name from the index until one year after the effectiveness of a financing statement naming the debtor lapses under Section 7-9A-515 with respect to all secured parties of record. (h) Timeliness of filing office performance. The filing office shall perform the acts required by subsections (a) through (e) at the time and in the manner prescribed by filing-office rule, but not later than two business days after the filing office receives the record in question. (i) Inapplicability to real-property-related filing office. Subsections (b) and (h) do not apply to a filing office described in Section 7-9A-501(a)(1). (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-520 Acceptance and Refusal to Accept Record.

7-9A-520. Acceptance and Refusal to Accept Record. (a) Mandatory refusal to accept record. A filing office shall refuse to accept a record for filing for a reason set forth in Section 7-9A-516(b) and may refuse to accept a record for filing only for a reason set forth in Section 7-9A-516(b). (b) Communication concerning refusal. If a filing office refuses to accept a record for filing, it shall communicate to the person that presented the record the fact of and reason for the refusal and the date and time the record would have been filed had the filing office accepted it. The communication must be made at the time and in the manner prescribed by filing-office rule but, in the case of a filing office described in Section 7-9A-501(a)(2), in no event more than two business days after the filing office receives the record. (c) When filed financing statement effective. A filed financing statement satisfying Section 7-9A-502(a) and (b) is effective, even if the filing office is required to refuse to accept it for filing under subsection (a). However, Section 7-9A-338 applies to a filed financing statement providing information described in Section 7-9A-516(b)(5) which is incorrect at the time the financing statement is filed. (d) Separate application to multiple debtors. If a record communicated to a filing office provides information that relates to more than one debtor, this part applies as to each debtor separately. (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-521 Uniform Form of Written Financing Statement and Amendment.

7-9A-521. Uniform Form of Written Financing Statement and Amendment. (a) Initial financing statement form. A filing office that accepts written records may not refuse to accept a written initial financing statement in the following form and format except for a reason set forth in Section 7-9A-516(b): UCC FINANCING STATEMENT FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS A. NAME & PHONE OF CONTACT AT FILER (optional) ___________________________________ B. E-MAIL CONTACT AT FILER (optional) _________ C. SEND ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO: (Name and Address) _________________________________________________ THE ABOVE SPACE IS FOR FILING OFFICE USE ONLY 1. DEBTOR’S NAME: Provide only one Debtor name (1a or 1b) (use exact, full name; do not omit, modify, or abbreviate any part of the Debtor’s name); if any part of the Individual Debtor’s name will not fit in line 1b, leave all of item 1 blank, check here [ ] and provide the Individual Debtor information in item 10 of the Financing Statement Addendum (Form UCC1Ad) 1a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME _________________________________________ OR 1b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME _________________ FIRST PERSONAL NAME ______________ ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S) _______________ SUFFIX _________ 1c. MAILING ADDRESS ____________________ CITY __________ STATE _________ POSTAL CODE _________ COUNTRY _________ 2. DEBTOR’S NAME: Provide only one Debtor name (2a or 2b) (use exact, full name; do not omit, modify, or abbreviate any part of the Debtor’s name); if any part of the Individual Debtor’s name will not fit in line 2b, leave all of item 2 blank, check here [ ] and provide the Individual Debtor information in item 10 of the Financing Statement Addendum (Form UCC1Ad) 2a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME _________ OR 2b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME _________ FIRST PERSONAL NAME _________ ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S) ___________________ SUFFIX _________ 2c. MAILING ADDRESS _____________________ CITY _________ STATE _________ POSTAL CODE _________ COUNTRY _________ 3. SECURED PARTY’S NAME (or NAME of ASSIGNEE of ASSIGNOR SECURED PARTY): Provide only one Secured Party name (3a or 3b) 3a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME _________ OR 3b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME _________ FIRST PERSONAL NAME _________ ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S) _________ SUFFIX _________ 3c. MAILING ADDRESS _________ CITY _________ STATE _________ POSTAL CODE _________ COUNTRY _________ 4. COLLATERAL: This financing statement covers the following collateral: __________________________ 5. Check only if applicable and check only one box: Collateral is [ ] held in a Trust (see UCC1Ad, Item 17 and Instructions) [ ] being administered by a Decedent’s Personal Representative 6a. Check only if applicable and check only one box: [ ] Public-Finance Transaction [ ] Manufactured-Home Transaction [ ] A Debtor is a Transmitting Utility 6b. Check only if applicable and check only one box: [ ] Agricultural Lien [ ] Non-UCC Filing 7. ALTERNATIVE DESIGNATION (if applicable): [ ] Lessee/Lessor [ ] Consignee/Consignor [ ] Seller/Buyer [ ] Bailee/Bailor [ ] Licensee/Licensor 8. OPTIONAL FILER REFERENCE DATA: _________________________________ [UCC FINANCING STATEMENT (Form UCC1)] UCC FINANCING STATEMENT ADDENDUM FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS 9. NAME OF FIRST DEBTOR: Same as item 1a or 1b on Financing Statement; if line 1b was left blank because Individual Debtor name did not fit, check here [ ] 9a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME _________ OR 9b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME _________ FIRST PERSONAL NAME _________ ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S) _________ SUFFIX _________ THE ABOVE SPACE IS FOR FILING OFFICE USE ONLY 10. DEBTOR’S NAME: Provide (10a or 10b) only one additional Debtor name or Debtor name that did not fit in line 1b or 2b of the Financing Statement (Form UCC1) (use exact, full name; do not omit, modify, or abbreviate any part of the Debtor’s name) and enter the mailing address in line 10c 10a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME _________ OR 10b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME _________ FIRST PERSONAL NAME _________ ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S) _________ SUFFIX _________ 10c. MAILING ADDRESS _________ CITY _________ STATE _________ POSTAL CODE _________ COUNTRY _________ 11. [ ] ADDITIONAL SECURED PARTY’S NAME or [ ] ASSIGNOR SECURED PARTY’S NAME: Provide only one name (11a or 11b) 11a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME _________ OR 11b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME _________ FIRST PERSONAL NAME _________ ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S) _________ SUFFIX _________ 11c. MAILING ADDRESS _________ CITY _________ STATE _________ POSTAL CODE _________ COUNTRY _________ 12. ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR ITEM 4 (Collateral) ________________________________ 13. [ ] This FINANCING STATEMENT is to be filed [for record] (or recorded) in the REAL ESTATE RECORDS (if applicable) 14. This FINANCING STATEMENT: [ ] covers timber to be cut [ ] covers as-extracted collateral [ ] is filed as a fixture filing 15. Name and address of a RECORD OWNER of real estate described in item 16 (if Debtor does not have a record interest): _________ 16. Description of real estate: _________ 17. MISCELLANEOUS: _________ (b) Amendment form. A filing office that accepts written records may not refuse to accept a written record in the following form and format except for a reason set forth in Section 7-9A-516(b): UCC FINANCING STATEMENT AMENDMENT FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS A. NAME & PHONE OF CONTACT AT FILER (optional) _________ B. E-MAIL CONTACT AT FILER (optional) C. SEND ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO: (Name and Address) _______________________ THE ABOVE SPACE IS FOR FILING OFFICE USE ONLY 1a. INITIAL FINANCING STATEMENT FILE NUMBER _________ 1b. [ ] This FINANCING STATEMENT AMENDMENT is to be filed [for record] (or recorded) in the REAL ESTATE RECORDS Filer: attach Amendment Addendum (Form UCC3Ad) and provide Debtor’s name in item 13. 2. [ ] TERMINATION: Effectiveness of the Financing Statement identified above is terminated with respect to the security interest(s) of Secured Party authorizing this Termination Statement 3. [ ] ASSIGNMENT (full or partial): Provide name of Assignee in item 7a or 7b, and address of Assignee in item 7c and name of Assignor in item 9 For partial assignment, complete items 7 and 9 and also indicate affected collateral in item 8 4. [ ] CONTINUATION: Effectiveness of the Financing Statement identified above with respect to the security interest(s) of Secured Party authorizing this Continuation Statement is continued for the additional period provided by applicable law 5. [ ] PARTY INFORMATION CHANGE: Check one of these two boxes: This Change affects [ ] Debtor or [ ] Secured Party of record. AND Check one of these three boxes to: [ ] CHANGE name and/or address: Complete item 6a or 6b; and item 7a or 7b and item 7c [ ] ADD name: Complete item 7a or 7b, and item 7c [ ] DELETE name: Give record name to be deleted in item 6a or 6b 6. CURRENT RECORD INFORMATION: Complete for Party Information Change - provide only one name (6a or 6b) 6a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME _________ OR 6b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME _________ FIRST PERSONAL NAME _________ ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S) _________ SUFFIX _________ 7. CHANGED OR ADDED INFORMATION: Complete for Assignment or Party Information Change - provide only one name (7a or 7b) (use exact full name; do not omit, modify, or abbreviate any part of the Debtor’s name) 7a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME _________ OR 7b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME _________ FIRST PERSONAL NAME _________ ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S) _________ SUFFIX __________ 7c. MAILING ADDRESS _________ CITY _________ STATE _________ POSTAL CODE _________ COUNTRY _________ 8. [ ] COLLATERAL CHANGE: Also check one of these four boxes: [ ] ADD collateral [ ] DELETE collateral [ ] RESTATE covered collateral [ ] ASSIGN collateral Indicate collateral: 9. NAME OF SECURED PARTY OF RECORD AUTHORIZING THIS AMENDMENT: Provide only one name (9a or 9b) (name of Assignor, if this is an Assignment) If this is an Amendment authorized by a DEBTOR, check here [ ] and provide name of authorizing Debtor 9a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME _________ OR 9b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME _________ FIRST PERSONAL NAME _________ ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S) _________ SUFFIX _________ 10. OPTIONAL FILER REFERENCE DATA: _________ [UCC FINANCING STATEMENT AMENDMENT (Form UCC3)] UCC FINANCING STATEMENT AMENDMENT ADDENDUM FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS 11. INITIAL FINANCING STATEMENT FILE NUMBER: Same as item 1a on Amendment form _________ 12. NAME OF PARTY AUTHORIZING THIS AMENDMENT: Same as item 9 on Amendment form _________ 12a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME _________ OR 12b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME _________ FIRST PERSONAL NAME _________ ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S) _________ SUFFIX _________ THE ABOVE SPACE IS FOR FILING OFFICE USE ONLY 13. Name of DEBTOR on related financing statement (Name of a current Debtor of record required for indexing purposes only in some filing offices - see Instruction item 13): Provide only one Debtor name (13a or 13b) (use exact, full name; do not omit, modify, or abbreviate any part of the Debtor’s name); see Instructions if name does not fit 13a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME _________ OR 13b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME _________ FIRST PERSONAL NAME _________ ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S) _________ SUFFIX ______________ 14. ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR ITEM 8 (Collateral): _________ 15. This FINANCING STATEMENT AMENDMENT: [ ] covers timber to be cut [ ] covers as-extracted collateral [ ] is filed as a fixture filing 16. Name and address of a RECORD OWNER of real estate described in item 17 (if Debtor does not have a record interest):_________ 17. Description of real estate: _________ 18. MISCELLANEOUS: _________ [UCC FINANCING STATEMENT AMENDMENT ADDENDUM (Form UCC3Ad)] (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1; Act 2014-374, p. 1339, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-522 Maintenance and Destruction of Records.

7-9A-522. Maintenance and Destruction of Records. (a) Post-lapse maintenance and retrieval of information. The filing office shall maintain a record of the information provided in a filed financing statement for at least one year after the effectiveness of the financing statement has lapsed under Section 7-9A-515 with respect to all secured parties of record. The record must be retrievable by using the name of the debtor and by using the file number assigned to the initial financing statement to which the record relates. (b) Destruction of written records. Except to the extent that a statute governing disposition of public records provides otherwise, the filing office immediately may destroy any written record evidencing a financing statement. However, if the filing office destroys a written record, it shall maintain another record of the financing statement which complies with subsection (a). (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-523 Information from Filing Office; Sale or License of Records.

7-9A-523. Information from Filing Office; Sale or License of Records. (a) Acknowledgment of filing written record. If a person that files a written record requests an acknowledgment of the filing, the filing office shall send to the person an image of the record showing the number assigned to the record pursuant to Section 7-9A-519(a)(1) and the date and time of the filing of the record. However, if the person furnishes a copy of the record to the filing office, the filing office may instead: (1) note upon the copy the number assigned to the record pursuant to Section 7-9A-519(a)(1) and the date and time of the filing of the record; and (2) send the copy to the person. (b) Acknowledgment of filing other record. If a person files a record other than a written record, the filing office shall communicate to the person an acknowledgment that provides: (1) the information in the record; (2) the number assigned to the record pursuant to Section 7-9A-519(a)(1); and (3) the date and time of the filing of the record. (c) Communication of requested information. The filing office shall communicate or otherwise make available in a record the following information to any person that requests it: (1) whether there is on file on a date and time specified by the filing office, but not a date earlier than three business days before the filing office receives the request, any financing statement that: (A) designates a particular debtor or, if the request so states, designates a particular debtor at the address specified in the request; (B) has not lapsed under Section 7-9A-515 with respect to all secured parties of record; and (C) if the request so states, has lapsed under Section 7-9A-515 and a record of which is maintained by the filing office under Section 7-9A-522(a); (2) the date and time of filing of each financing statement; and (3) the information provided in each financing statement. (d) Medium for communicating information. In complying with its duty under subsection (c), the filing office may communicate information in any medium. However, if requested, the filing office shall communicate information by issuing its written certificate. (e) Timeliness of filing office performance. The filing office shall perform the acts required by subsections (a) through (d) at the time and in the manner prescribed by filing-office rule. The filing office should perform the required acts within a reasonable period of time, and after January 1, 2003, not later than two business days after the filing office receives the request. (f) Public availability of records. The Secretary of State shall adopt a rule pursuant to the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act which provides a procedure and reasonable fees for the sale or licensing to the public on a nonexclusive basis, in bulk, of copies of all records filed in the office of the Secretary of State under this part. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a fund to be known as the Secretary of State’s Information Bulk Sales Fund. Section 7-9A-525 or any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, all funds, fees, charges, costs and collections accruing to or collected by the office of the Secretary of State under the provisions of this section shall be deposited into the State Treasury to the credit of this fund and shall not be expended for any purpose whatsoever unless the same shall have been allotted and budgeted in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 4 of Title 41, and only in the amounts and for the purposes provided by the Legislature in the general appropriation bill or this section. (g) The Secretary of State shall develop and implement a central indexing system containing the information filed with his or her office pursuant to subsection (f) of Section 7-9A-320. Under this system, the Secretary of State shall record the date and time of filing and compile the information into a master list organized according to farm products. The list shall be organized within each farm product category in alphabetical order according to the last name of the debtor, or in the case of debtors doing business other than as individuals, the first word in the name of such debtor, in numerical order according to the Social Security or taxpayer identification number of the debtor, geographically by county, and by crop year. The master list also shall contain the name and address of the secured party, the name and address of the debtor, a description of the farm products, including amount where applicable, subject to the security interest and a reasonable description of the real estate, including the county, where the farm products are located. (h) The Secretary of State shall maintain a list of all buyers of farm products, commission merchants, and selling agents who register with the Secretary of State indicating an interest in receiving the lists described in subsection (i). (i) The Secretary of State shall distribute at regular intervals as determined by him or her, to each buyer, commission merchant, and selling agent registered under subsection (h) a copy in written or printed form or, if elected by the buyer, commission merchant, or selling agent in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary of State, in electronic form, of those portions of the master list which the buyer, commission merchant, or selling agent has indicated an interest in receiving. The charge for a printed copy of the entire or any portion of the master list and any supplements to that list shall be a fee established by the Secretary of State of up to twenty-five cents ($.25) per page, but no buyer, commission merchant, or selling agent shall be obligated to pay more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) per year in charges for a printed copy of each distributed master list or portion thereof. The charge for receiving the entire or any portion of the master list in electronic form shall be a fee established by the Secretary of State of up to one hundred dollars ($100) annually. (j) Upon request of any person, the Secretary of State shall provide, within 24 hours, an oral confirmation of whether there is on file, on the date and hour stated, any presently effective financing statement naming a particular debtor to be followed by a written confirmation. The fee for confirming an oral search shall be twenty dollars ($20) plus two dollars ($2) for each financing statement and for each statement of assignment reported therein. (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1; Act 2002-518, p. 1337, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-524 Delay by Filing Office.

7-9A-524. Delay by Filing Office. Delay by the filing office beyond a time limit prescribed by this part is excused if: (1) the delay is caused by interruption of communication or computer facilities, war, emergency conditions, failure of equipment, or other circumstances beyond control of the filing office; and (2) the filing office exercises reasonable diligence under the circumstances. (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-525 Fees.

7-9A-525. Fees. (a) Initial financing statement or other record: General rule. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e), and except that no filing fee is required for the filing of a termination statement pursuant to Section 7-9A-513, the fee for filing and indexing a record under this part is: (1) $20.00 if the record is communicated in writing and consists of one or two pages; (2) $20.00 plus $2.00 for each page more than two if the record is communicated in writing and consists of more than two pages; and (3) $15.00 if the record is communicated by another medium authorized by filing-office rule. (b) Initial financing statement: Manufactured-housing transactions: Section 7-9A-502(c). Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), the fee for filing and indexing an initial financing statement of the kind described in Section 7-9A-502(c) is $10.00 if the financing statement indicates that it is filed in connection with a manufactured-home transaction. (c) Number of names. The number of names required to be indexed does not affect the amount of the fee in subsection (a) or (b) of this section. (d) Response to information request. The fee for responding to a request for information from the filing office, including for issuing a certificate showing whether there is on file any financing statement naming a particular debtor, is: (1) $20.00 if the request is communicated in writing; and (2) $15.00 if the request is communicated by another medium authorized by filing-office rule. The fees described in subdivisions (1) and (2) shall apply to each debtor named submitted in the request where the request seeks information on more than one debtor. An additional fee of $100.00 shall be required where the request for information requests expedited response by the Secretary of State. (e) Record of mortgage. This section does not require a fee with respect to a mortgage which is effective as a financing statement filed as a fixture filing or as a financing statement covering as-extracted collateral or timber to be cut under Section 7-9A-502(c). However, the recording and satisfaction fees that otherwise would be applicable to the mortgage apply. (f) Use of non-standard form. A fee of $5.00 shall be required in addition to the fees set forth in subsections (a), (b), and (d) where the filing or request is submitted in a non-standard form. (g) Proration of fees. (1) If the first mailing address of the debtor or debtors on the initial finance statement is located in a county in Alabama, $5.00 of the filing fee associated with the filing of the financing statement in the office of the Secretary of State shall be rebated to the probate judge of the county where the address is located. This rebate shall begin January 1, 2002, and lapse after December 31, 2011. (2) The balance of the fee shall be paid to the General Fund of the State of Alabama, a portion to be allocated to the office of the Secretary of State as provided in subsection (j). (h) Uniform Commercial Code Fund. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a fund to be known and designated as the Uniform Commercial Code Fund. All funds, fees, charges, costs, and collections accruing to or collected by the office of the Secretary of State under the provisions of this section, except fees rebated to probate judges pursuant to subsection (g), shall be deposited into the State Treasury to the credit of the Uniform Commercial Code Fund except as provided in subsection (j). (i) Use of funds. All funds now or hereafter deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the Uniform Commercial Code Fund shall be expended for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the law authorizing the collection of such funds and shall be payable from said fund on the requisition of the Secretary of State; provided, however, commencing in the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2003, and in subsequent fiscal years, no funds shall be withdrawn nor expended for any purpose whatsoever unless the same shall have been allotted and budgeted in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 4 of Title 41, and only in the amounts and for the purposes provided by the Legislature in the general appropriation bill. (j) Allocation of fees. From July 1, 2001, through December 31, 2001, 81 percent of all fees collected in accordance with this section by the Secretary of State shall be deposited to the credit of the State General Fund for the credit of the Secretary of State to use for the implementation of this article. There shall be no change in fees collected by the office of the judge of probate from July 1, 2001, through December 31, 2001. From January 1, 2002, through September 30, 2002, and in subsequent fiscal years, 81 percent of total funds collected in accordance with this section or any fees collected in direct relation to the Uniform Commercial Code during that period shall be deposited to the credit of the State General Fund. (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-526 Filing-Office Rules.

7-9A-526. Filing-Office Rules. (a) Adoption of filing-office rules. The Secretary of State shall adopt and publish rules to implement this article. The filing-office rules must be: (1) consistent with this article; and (2) adopted and published in accordance with the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act. (b) Harmonization of rules. To keep the filing-office rules and practices of the filing office in harmony with the rules and practices of filing offices in other jurisdictions that enact substantially this part, and to keep the technology used by the filing office compatible with the technology used by filing offices in other jurisdictions that enact substantially this part, the Secretary of State, so far as is consistent with the purposes, policies, and provisions of this article, in adopting, amending, and repealing filing-office rules, shall: (1) consult with filing offices in other jurisdictions that enact substantially this part; and (2) consult the most recent version of the Model Rules promulgated by the International Association of Corporate Administrators or any successor organization; and (3) take into consideration the rules and practices of, and the technology used by, filing offices in other jurisdictions that enact substantially this part. (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1.)

Source: Alabama Legislature (alison.legislature.state.al.us)URL: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabamaFetched: 10/20/2026