HB317 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Allen TreadawayRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Jefferson Co., retire police officers, allowed percentage of retired police officers that may be rehired by Birmingham Police Dept, increased, Sec. 45-37A-51.237 am'd.

Summary

HB317 lets Birmingham increase how many retired police officers and firefighters it can rehire while letting them keep retirement benefits under specific rules.

What This Bill Does

It amends the Birmingham-specific retirement statute to allow the city to rehire retired police officers and firefighters during critical shortages, with limits and conditions. Retired public safety personnel who are rehired may continue to receive retirement benefits during the reemployment period, must have at least 45 days of retirement before returning to work, and do not earn additional retirement credits for the reemployment period, with contributions required from both the retiree and the city. The total reemployment period cannot exceed 10 years, and rank restrictions apply (police under sergeant, firefighters under apparatus operator lieutenant); the city must cap rehired personnel at a specified percentage of its force and select retirees under established guidelines, with an actuarial study required to show cost neutrality before implementation.

Who It Affects

• Retired police officers who may be rehired by the City of Birmingham and may receive retirement benefits during reemployment under set conditions (45-day retirement, no extra service credit, required contributions, cap on number).
• Retired firefighters who may be rehired by the City of Birmingham and may receive retirement benefits during reemployment under set conditions (45-day retirement, no extra service credit, required contributions, cap on number).

Key Provisions

• Amends 45-37A-51.237 to increase the allowed percentages of retired police officers and retired firefighters that may be rehired by the city.
• A rehired retiree may receive retirement benefits for the period of reemployment; retirement benefits can be continued or combined with city compensation as elected, subject to the rules.
• Rehired retirees must have at least 45 consecutive days of retirement before reemployment; no additional retirement service credit is earned during reemployment; both retiree and city contribute as required; contributions are nonrefundable.
• Total period of subsequent employment cannot exceed 10 years; police retirees must be placed below sergeant rank and may not be promoted above sergeant; firefighter retirees must be placed below lieutenant rank and may not be promoted above apparatus operator lieutenant.
• The city cannot employ more than a specified percentage of retired personnel (10 20 percent of the force as of May 18, 2017 for police and firefighters respectively).
• The chief of police or fire chief selects retirees for reemployment under the Personnel Board of Jefferson County guidelines.
• Before implementing the act, an actuarial study must certify that the act is cost-neutral to the city retirement system.
• The act becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it into law.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Jefferson County