HB549 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joseph C. Mitchell

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Victor GastonGerald H. AllenChad FincherJamie IsonJim BartonSpencer Collier

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Motor vehicles, distinctive license tags, retired professional firefighter tag authorized, duties to Revenue Department, penalties

Summary

HB549 creates a distinctive license plate for retired professional firefighters, with a design by firefighter associations, to be issued for privately owned passenger vehicles.

What This Bill Does

It allows eligible retired professional firefighters to apply for a special plate that replaces the standard plate on their privately owned passenger vehicles. The plate’s design is created by the state association of professional firefighters in coordination with the Mobile Retired Firefighters and Paramedics Association and the Tuscaloosa Retired Firefighters Association. Issuance follows the same process as other plates, with annual eligibility lists prepared by the Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission and submitted to the appropriate issuing official. Initial applications require proof of retirement from a qualifying department; renewals do not require ongoing proof; the plate uses the regular license fee (not the $3 fee) and is intended for use only on the retiree’s vehicle registered in their name.

Who It Affects

• Retired professional firefighters who are retired from a paid or part-paid fire department and want a distinctive plate for their privately owned passenger vehicle.
• County license issuing officials (judge of probate, license commissioner, or equivalent) and the Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission, which handles eligibility lists and the issuing process.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'retired professional firefighter' as a retired member of a paid or part-paid fire department who actually engaged in firefighting or first aid at an accident scene.
• Authorizes issuance of a distinctive license plate for retired professional firefighters with a design created by the state association of professional firefighters in coordination with specific firefighter organizations.
• Issuing of the plate is handled by the same officials and processes as other motor vehicle plates, with regular fees; a yearly list of eligible retirees must be supplied to issuing officials by December 1.
• At initial application, proof of retirement from a department on the eligibility list is required; renewal does not require reproof of retirement.
• The plate is to be used only on the retiree’s personally owned private passenger vehicle registered in the retiree’s name, and replaces the standard plate while in use.
• Providing false information to obtain the plate or certifying another person to obtain it is a Class C misdemeanor.
• Plates are to be prepared for licensing year starting January 1, 2012, and the act becomes effective according to the normal law process; conflicting laws are repealed.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles