HB 7

This bill would require existing non-volunteer fire departments in the state that have paid firefighters on duty eight hours or more per day to install a diesel exhaust system in the fire station building or on each of the diesel fire apparatus within a certain time frame

This bill would require any new construction of a fire station to include in the design the installation of a diesel exhaust system, or if the design process is complete and construction has already commenced, this bill would require a diesel exhaust system be installed within five years

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama 1901 prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this general law would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621

If this bill is not enacted by a 2/3 vote, it will not become effective with regard to a local entity unless approved by the local entity or until, and only as long as, the Legislature appropriates funds or provides for a local source of revenue

Relating to non-volunteer fire departments; to require a diesel exhaust system be installed in the fire station building or on each of the diesel fire apparatus within a certain time frame and under certain conditions; to provide exemptions; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds.

Section 1

(a) For the purposes of this section,

diesel exhaust system" means any one of the following: (1) A dilution ventilation exhaust system designed to exchange inside air for fresh air and situate exhausted air to prevent reentry into the structure at a rate of 1.5 cfm per square foot of horizontal floor area. (2) A local tailpipe capture system that attaches to the tailpipe of a diesel engine and is designed to discharge exhaust outside of the station, situated to prevent reentry into the structure at 600 cfm minimum for each diesel engine. (3) An air filtration system in a multistage progressive filtration system designed to capture airborne particles to maintain permissible exposure limits, as defined by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, for each diesel engine. (4) A vehicle-mounted filtration or capture system attached to a fire apparatus designed to filter vehicle exhaust for a period of time to allow the vehicle to exit and enter the building. (b) This section shall apply only to non-volunteer fire departments in the state that have paid firefighters on duty eight hours or more per day. (c)(1) Any non-volunteer fire department with one to anned fire stations that has an existing manned fire station that does not have a diesel exhaust system installed in the fire station building or on each of the diesel fire apparatus shall install a diesel exhaust system within five years of the effective date of this act. (2) Any non-volunteer fire department with 11 or more manned fire stations that has an existing manned fire station that does not have a diesel exhaust system installed in the fire station building or on each of the diesel fire apparatus shall install a diesel exhaust system within seven and one-half years of the effective date of this act. (d) Any existing fire station shall have door closure devices on any door between the apparatus bay and the living or office quarters and shall have appropriate weather stripping and seals to prevent diesel exhaust from entering the living and office areas within five years of the effective date of this act. (e) The construction of any new fire station, where the design process for the fire station begins after the effective date of this act, shall have a diesel exhaust system incorporated in the design in the apparatus bay designed to house the apparatus truck. The fire station shall also have a separate room sealed from the apparatus bay to store the protective gear used by the firefighters of the station. (f) Any new construction of a fire station that commenced before the effective date of this act that does not have a diesel exhaust system included in the design of the fire station shall be required to install a diesel exhaust system within five years of the effective date of this act.

Section 2

This bill would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of funds, and thus, must be enacted by a 2/3 vote in order to be effective with regard to a local entity, unless approved by the local entity or until, and only as long as, the Legislature appropriates funds or provides for a local source of revenue.

Section 3

This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.