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AlabamaSB2492026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Distinctive license plates; volunteer and professional firefighters plate fee increased, distribution of funds provided for

Sponsored By: Will Barfoot (Republican)

Enacted

Motor Vehicles & Traffic

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More retired firefighters qualify for plates

Beginning January 1, 2027, Alabama residents who retired from professional fire departments in other states can qualify for retired firefighter plates. They must provide proof of eligibility and meet the program's other qualification requirements; applicable plate fees are not waived. The plate must be for a personally owned private passenger vehicle registered in the applicant's name. The Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission must send issuing officials an eligibility list by December 1 each year. Firefighters joining a paid or part-paid department after that date, or omitted from the list, can use their chief's signed certification. Retirees must show proof of retirement for initial issuance, but do not need to repeat that proof at renewal. Falsely obtaining a firefighter plate, or falsely certifying someone's eligibility, is a Class C misdemeanor.

Higher license plate fees for firefighters

The law raises the annual extra firefighter plate fee from $1 to $10, adding $9 per year. Professional firefighter plates carry the $10 annual extra fee; retired professional firefighter plates carry a $1 annual extra fee. Both professional plate types also lose their exemption from the regular $3 plate fee, and other registration fees still apply. After the allowed commission is deducted, the Comptroller distributes the $10 fee proceeds monthly in four equal 25% shares. These shares go to the Alabama Joint Fire Council for the firefighter memorial and peer support, the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund, and the Alabama Firefighters Emergency Relief Fund. Retired professional plate fee proceeds go to the Council's firefighter memorial fund. County issuing officials must send net proceeds monthly, and the designated funds must be audited at least every three calendar years. The act takes effect January 1, 2027, although its fee language also references January 1, 2022.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Will Barfoot

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 262 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 103 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 772

Yes: 102 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 482

Yes: 29 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    3/13/2026Senate

  2. Third Reading in Second House

    3/5/2026House

  3. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 772

    3/5/2026House

  4. Ready to Enroll

    3/5/2026Senate

  5. Ready to Enroll

    3/5/2026Senate

  6. Enrolled

    3/5/2026Senate

  7. Signature Requested

    3/5/2026House

  8. Delivered to Governor

    3/5/2026Senate

  9. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    2/25/2026House

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

    2/25/2026House

  11. Third Reading in House of Origin

    2/19/2026Senate

  12. Third Reading in House of Origin

    2/19/2026Senate

  13. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 482

    2/19/2026Senate

  14. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means General Fund

    2/19/2026House

  15. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    2/19/2026House

  16. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    2/10/2026Senate

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

    2/10/2026Senate

  18. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on County and Municipal Government

    2/3/2026Senate

  19. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    2/3/2026Senate

Bill Text

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