(a) The taxes levied by this part shall become effective, or go into effect, on the first day of the calendar month next following the calendar month in which this part is adopted.

(b)(1) Commencing on the effective date of the taxes, as specified in subsection (a), above, in addition to all other taxes imposed by law, there is hereby levied and shall be collected by the director of revenue as herein provided a privilege or license tax in the amount hereinafter prescribed against every person engaged in the county in the business of renting or furnishing any room or rooms, lodging or accommodations, to any transients in any hotel, motel, inn, tourist court, or any other place in which rooms, lodgings, or accommodations are regularly furnished to transients for a consideration. The director of revenue shall pay to the Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau all of the proceeds of the tax. The amount of tax shall equal three percent of the charge for such rooms, lodgings, or accommodations, including the charge for use or rental of personal property and services furnished in such room or rooms.

(2) There are exempted from the provisions of the tax levied by this section and from the computation of the amount of the tax levied or payable hereunder the following: Charges for property sold or services furnished which are required to be included in the tax levied by the state sales tax act; charges for the rental of rooms, lodgings, or accommodations furnished by any hospital, nursing home, convalescent home, or by any charitable or elemosynary institution; charges for the rental of rooms, lodgings, or accommodations to persons for a period of 180 continuous days or more. The exemption hereby provided shall apply to any property sold or services furnished which are required to be included in any sales tax now or hereafter levied by the State of Alabama.

(c) The taxes levied by this section, except as otherwise provided herein, shall be due and payable on or before the 20th day of the month next succeeding the month in which the tax accrues. On or before the 20th day of each month after the effective date of the taxes every person on whom the tax is levied by this section shall render to the director of revenue on a form prescribed by him or her, a true and correct statement showing the gross proceeds of the business subject to the tax for the then preceding month, together with such other information as the director of revenue may demand and require; and at the time of making such monthly report the taxpayer shall compute and pay to the director of revenue the amount of taxes shown to be due.

(d) It shall be the duty of every person engaged or continuing in any business subject to the taxes levied by this section to keep and preserve suitable records of the gross proceeds of such business and such other books or accounts as may be necessary to determine the amount of tax for which he or she is liable under this part. Such records shall be kept and preserved for a period of five years and shall be open for examination at any time by the director of revenue or by any duly authorized agent, deputy, or employee of the director.

(e) Any person who fails to pay the tax levied by this section within the time required by this part shall pay in addition to the tax a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of tax due, together with interest thereon at the rate of one-half of one percent per month or fraction thereof from the date on which the tax became due and payable, such penalty and interest to be assessed and collected as a part of the tax.