HB84 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John Merrill

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Alabama Fire College, an institution of postsecondary education under the supervision and control of the Alabama Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission, clarified, membership revised, duties, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee established, Secs. 36-32-1, 36-32-2, 36-32-3, 36-32-5 am'd; Sec. 36-32-13 added.

Summary

HB84 clarifies the Alabama Fire College as an independent state college under a revised Firefighters' Standards Commission, expands commission duties and membership, and creates a legislative oversight body to monitor the program.

What This Bill Does

It defines the Alabama Fire College as an independent public college under the supervision of the Commission and ensures state lands and facilities are owned by the state and titled to the Commission. It overhauls Commission membership and governance, outlining specific firefighter associations and state offices that nominate members and setting term and Senate confirmation rules. It authorizes the Commission to organize the College, hire staff, set salaries, certify training programs, and aligns employee retirement and benefits with the Teachers' Retirement System, with final hiring decisions resting with Shelton State Community College. It also creates the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee to study and oversee the Commission's work, with required clerical support and per diem provisions, effective immediately upon governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Fire College students and trainees, who would receive education, training, and certification through an independent state college overseen by the Commission.
• Fire service organizations and state agencies (the Professional Firefighters Association of Alabama, Alabama Firemen's Firefighter's Association, Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs, Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, State Fire Marshal, and Governor-appointed members) whose membership, duties, and governance are revised, and who participate in the Commission and its oversight.

Key Provisions

• Alabama Fire College defined as an independent public institution of postsecondary education operated under the supervision of the Alabama Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission; state lands and facilities remain state property and are titled to the Commission.
• The Commission is reorganized with seven members—designated by specific firefighting associations, the State Fire Marshal, and four Governor-appointed members—with terms set and Senate confirmation required; by-laws may be adopted.
• The Commission is empowered to organize the Fire College, appoint staff (including an executive director), set salaries, and manage governance; final hiring decisions for College staff rest with the President of Shelton State Community College; employees participate in the Teachers' Retirement System.
• The Commission's duties include setting training standards, approving curricula, certifying training programs, coordinating with fire agencies and educational institutions, and promoting firefighting training in the state.
• A new Joint Legislative Oversight Committee is created to study and oversee the Commission and College; it includes members from both chambers, with allocated clerical support and per diem rules, and can meet as needed.
• The act becomes effective immediately after passage and gubernatorial 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

Fire College