HB262 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Richard J. Laird

Independent

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Motor vehicles, distinctive license tags, Forestry Commission and Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission required to prepare lists of persons eligible for, widow or widower of firefighter or volunteer firefighter who dies in line of duty authorized to receive free license tag, Sec. 32-6-272 am'd.

Summary

HB262 creates a system for distinctive firefighter license plates, requires state agencies to prepare eligibility lists, and allows a free plate for surviving spouses of firefighters who die in the line of duty.

What This Bill Does

It requires the Alabama Forestry Commission to list volunteer and federal fire departments and the Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission to list paid or part-paid departments, with the lists due to county license officials by December 1 each year. It allows firefighters to get a distinctive license plate for their private vehicles in place of the standard plate, and they must pay the regular license fee but not the $3 fee. It also provides a free distinctive plate to widows or widowers of firefighters who die in the line of duty, upon written request, and sets penalties for falsely obtaining a plate.

Who It Affects

• Firefighters (paid, part-paid, or volunteer) and their departments: can obtain a distinctive plate for their private vehicles by showing proof of fire department membership; plates are used instead of the standard plates and the usual fee rules apply except the $3 fee is waived.
• Widows or widowers of firefighters (paid, part-paid, or volunteer) who die in the line of duty: eligible to receive a free distinctive firefighter plate upon written request.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 32-6-272 to require the Forestry Commission to list certified volunteer and federal fire departments and the FPS Education Commission to list paid or part-paid departments.
• Lists must be submitted to the county license issuing official by December 1 of each year.
• Applicants must present proof of fire department membership; plates issued upon payment of regular license fees, but not the $3 fee; plates used on personally-owned private passenger vehicles.
• If a person joins after December 1 or is omitted from the lists, they may obtain a plate by presenting a membership certificate signed by the department chief.
• Falsely obtaining or certifying someone to obtain a distinctive firefighter plate is a Class C misdemeanor.
• Widows or widowers of firefighters who die in the line of duty are eligible for a free distinctive plate upon written request.
• Death in the line of duty is determined by the standard used for municipal firefighter death benefits (Section 11-43-144).
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles