SB63 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Volunteer fire departments, certain authorized to establish workers' compensation pool for payment of claims, Industrial Relations Department to administer

Summary

Two or more volunteer fire departments certified by the Alabama Forestry Commission could form a shared workers' compensation pool to pay claims, with state rules guiding how it is run.

What This Bill Does

Allows two or more certified volunteer fire departments to enter into contracts or agreements to create a workers' compensation pool for paying such claims. The pool could provide coverage for workers' compensation, employers' liability, and occupational disease claims. The Department of Industrial Relations would, by rule, set requirements for administering the pool, including how funds are kept (separated or commingled), accounting, auditing, reporting, and other actuarial standards and procedures. Participating departments could operate the pool directly or through a nonprofit, a trust, or by contracting with a private party.

Who It Affects

• Volunteer fire departments certified by the Alabama Forestry Commission would be eligible to form and participate in a shared workers' compensation pool to pay claims.
• The Department of Industrial Relations would take on a regulatory role, setting rules for administering the pool and overseeing its funds and procedures.

Key Provisions

• Two or more volunteer fire departments certified by the Alabama Forestry Commission may enter contracts or agreements to establish a workers' compensation pool to provide for the payment of claims.
• The pool may provide coverage for workers' compensation, employers' liability, and occupational disease claims.
• The Department of Industrial Relations may adopt rules for the administration of the pool, including separation or commingling of funds, accounting, auditing, reporting, actuarial standards, and procedures.
• Participating departments may operate the pool on a cooperative or contract basis, or form a nonprofit corporation or trust, or contract with a private party to carry out the pool.

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

Subjects

Volunteer Fire Departments