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AlabamaHB1162026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program; to permit EMS regional agencies to participate in education instruction

Sponsored By: Ed Oliver (Republican)

Enacted

Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

More tuition help for emergency responders

Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama expands emergency medical tuition help to students taught through health department-designated regional agencies. Eligible schools also include Alabama Community College System members, Alabama Fire College, and the University of South Alabama. Students must finish approved training, pass the certification exam, hold a valid Alabama emergency medical license, and sign a two-year service contract. Service must be with a volunteer rescue squad, volunteer fire department, or ambulance service; reimbursement covers required tuition and fees paid by students or sponsors, goes directly to sponsors, and excludes costs covered by grants or other awards. Recipients who fail to complete required service must repay the full reimbursement plus 8% interest, unless extreme hardship applies.

Tuition caps for regional training students

Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama’s health department must set a tuition reimbursement cap for students taught through designated regional agencies. The cap cannot exceed any reimbursement cap then in effect for Alabama Fire College. The law does not state a dollar amount.

New standards for emergency medical instructors

Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama’s health department must set qualification and accreditation rules for private training companies and instructors. These rules cover courses taught on behalf of designated regional emergency medical agencies. Standards must match those for other eligible schools.

Volunteer responders get tuition funding priority

The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and specifies allocation rules beginning with fiscal year 2023-2024. Alabama’s Community College System must fairly divide available tuition funds and service commitments, prioritizing volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, and nonprofit ambulance services. Participating schools must jointly administer the program, keep annual administrative costs within 10% of funding, and may limit applications or reimbursements when necessary. The system must report annually to the Governor, legislative leaders, and legislative fiscal officers on program results, including participant and reimbursement counts. Program receipts, including repayments, interest, and penalties, fund tuition reimbursements; the law states no appropriation amount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ed Oliver

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Arnold Mooney

    Republican • House

  • Ben Harrison

    Republican • House

  • Bill Lamb

    Republican • House

  • Bob Fincher

    Republican • House

  • Chip Brown

    Republican • House

  • Chris Sells

    Republican • House

  • Donna Givens

    Republican • House

  • Ginny Shaver

    Republican • House

  • Ivan Smith

    Republican • House

  • Jennifer Fidler

    Republican • House

  • Jerry Starnes

    Republican • House

  • Kenneth Paschal

    Republican • House

  • Kerry (Bubba) Underwood

    Republican • House

  • Matthew Hammett

    Republican • House

  • Rick Rehm

    Republican • House

  • Ritchie Whorton

    Republican • House

  • Ron Bolton

    Republican • House

  • Russell Bedsole

    Republican • House

  • Susan DuBose

    Republican • House

  • Tim Wadsworth

    Republican • House

  • Troy Stubbs

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 233 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1319

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 1/22/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 100 • No: 0

House vote • 1/22/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 148

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    4/16/2026House

  2. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1319

    4/9/2026Senate

  3. Ready to Enroll

    4/9/2026House

  4. Enrolled

    4/9/2026House

  5. Signature Requested

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Delivered to Governor

    4/9/2026House

  7. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    3/5/2026Senate

  8. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    3/4/2026Senate

  9. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Education

    1/27/2026Senate

  10. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    1/27/2026Senate

  11. Third Reading in House of Origin

    1/22/2026House

  12. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 148

    1/22/2026House

  13. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    1/21/2026House

  14. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    1/21/2026House

  15. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means Education

    1/13/2026House

  16. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

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