HB1 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tommy Hanes

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Retirement, Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), options for Tier I and Tier II members to participate, reopened, Secs. 16-25-150, 16-25-151, 36-27-170, 36-27-171 am'd.

Summary

HB1 would require certain non-volunteer fire departments with paid firefighters to install diesel exhaust systems in stations or on apparatus within five years, with design requirements for new stations, and it ties local funding decisions to Amendment 621 rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill applies to non-volunteer departments with paid firefighters on duty eight hours or more per day. Existing stations must install a diesel exhaust system within five years, and any new fire station design must include such a system (with installation within five years if construction has started). It also requires measures to prevent exhaust from entering living areas, such as door closures and weather sealing, and sets specifics for new station designs (apparatus bay exhaust system and a sealed gear room). Additionally, if a project would create a new or increased local expenditure, it would generally require a 2/3 vote unless the local entity approves it or the state provides funding. The act becomes effective after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Non-volunteer fire departments in Alabama that have paid firefighters on duty eight hours or more per day, who would need to install diesel exhaust systems and meet design/facility requirements within specified timeframes.
• Local government entities that fund these fire departments, as the bill interacts with Amendment 621 by requiring a 2/3 vote for new or increased local expenditures unless approved or funded by the state.

Key Provisions

• Diesel exhaust system definitions include: dilution ventilation, tailpipe capture, multi-stage filtration, or vehicle-mounted filtration/capture systems designed to reduce exhaust exposure.
• Applicable to non-volunteer departments with paid firefighters on duty eight hours or more per day.
• Existing stations without diesel exhaust systems must install one within five years of the act’s effective date.
• Existing stations must have door closure devices and weather stripping to keep exhaust out of living/office areas.
• New stations designed after the act’s effective date must include a diesel exhaust system in the apparatus bay and a separate sealed gear room.
• New construction that began before the act but lacks a diesel exhaust system must install one within five years after the act’s effective date.
• The act notes that imposing new or increased local expenditures would require a 2/3 vote unless the local entity approves or the Legislature funds the project.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month following 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

Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP)