Resident and nonresident manufacturers of prefabricated storm shelters sold in Alabama must now file a $20,000 surety bond with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. Gov. Robert Bentley signed SB 136 into effect on April 17, 2012.

The law was established to protect consumers who might purchase and/or install faulty storm shelters. SB 136 also eliminates several costly fees for shelter manufacturing companies; however, the new annual Alabama storm shelter manufacturers bond requirement will likely cancel out the fee deductions. If you need a storm shelter manufacturer bond in Alabama or anywhere else, you can contact a surety specialist online or by phone at 1 (800) 308-4358.

Storm shelter manufacturers will submit their original Alabama Emergency Management Agency Permit Bond form to:

Alabama Emergency Management Agency
5898 County Road 41
P.O. Drawer 2160
Clanton, AL 35046

Although many officials favor the new bond requirement, others are concerned the bill might hurt residents. In tornado-prone Alabama, having access to a storm shelter can sometimes be the difference between life and death. Residents are concerned that the building of storm shelters — even those that have already been ordered and paid for — will be put on hold until manufacturers can comply with the new surety bond requirement. Until these storm shelters are built, families will be left unprotected from the unpredictable weather.