HB1 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Richard J. Laird
Independent
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Workers' compensation insurance, volunteer fire departments and rescue squads, Insurance Department to set rates, based on certain annual payroll per person, Sec. 25-5-50 am'd.
Summary: HB1 would require an Insurance Commissioner-set cap of $300 per volunteer firefighter or rescue squad member per year to determine workers' compensation insurance rates for volunteer departments.
What This Bill Does
The Commissioner of Insurance would regulate the maximum annual payroll per member used to set workers' compensation rates, fixed at $300 per year for rate purposes only. This cap does not change the benefit amounts that injured volunteers receive. Coverage for volunteer departments remains voluntary, with rules for electing or withdrawing coverage, and corporate officers can choose to be exempt from coverage. The bill also states that the regular employer of a volunteer is not liable for a compensable injury.

Who It Affects
Volunteer fire departments and legally organized rescue squads: their workers' compensation insurance rates would be calculated using a fixed $300-per-member payroll cap, with coverage remaining voluntary.
Corporate officers and the regular employers of volunteers: they may elect to be exempt from coverage (for corporate officers) or rely on the department's voluntary coverage; the employer is not liable for injuries to volunteers.

Key Provisions
The Commissioner of Insurance shall set the maximum annual payroll per fire fighter or rescue squad member for rate-setting purposes at $300 per year, for insurance rate purposes only.
Participation in workers' compensation coverage for certified volunteer departments and rescue squads is voluntary, with mechanism for electing or withdrawing coverage and with corporate officers able to elect exemption or reinstatement.

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