To increase public confidence in the fairness of the state tax system, the state shall provide an independent agency to be known as the Alabama Tax Tribunal to hear appeals of tax and other matters administered by the Department of Revenue and certain self-administered counties and municipalities that choose to participate with the Alabama Tax Tribunal to hear appeals of taxes levied by or on behalf of self-administered counties or municipalities. Any judge of the Alabama Tax Tribunal shall have the requisite knowledge and experience to hear and resolve disputes between taxpayers and the Department of Revenue or taxpayers and any self-administered county or municipality that has elected to participate with the Alabama Tax Tribunal. Such hearing shall take place only after the taxpayer has had a full opportunity to settle any matter with the Department of Revenue or with a self-administered county or municipality. There shall be no requirement of the payment of the amounts in issue or the posting of a bond. This independent Alabama Tax Tribunal shall exist within the executive branch of the government.