HB329 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Joe LovvornRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Retirement System, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers, hazardous duty time, removing the time limit for purchasing for prior eligible service, Sec. 36-27-59 am'd.
Summary: HB329 would remove the time limit for purchasing hazardous duty time for prior eligible service for Tier I firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers in Alabama's retirement systems.
What This Bill Does
It amends Section 36-27-59 to remove the time limit for purchasing hazardous duty time for prior eligible service for Tier I members covered by the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) or Teachers' Retirement System (TRS). Hazardous duty time is earned at one year of credit for every five years of service (with proportional credit for partial years) and requires certain additional contributions. The bill keeps existing contribution requirements (rates that apply to active members and how employers withhold increases) and continues the process for purchasing prior service credit, including the payment and certification steps, while removing the deadline to purchase hazardous duty time.

Who It Affects
Tier I firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers covered by ERS or TRS would be able to purchase hazardous duty time for prior eligible service without a time limit.
The Employees' Retirement System, Teachers' Retirement System, and their employers would administer and track the new credits and related employee contributions.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 36-27-59 to remove the time limit for purchasing hazardous duty time for prior eligible service for Tier I firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers covered by ERS or TRS.
Hazardous duty time credit remains: one year of credit for every five years of service, with proportional credit for partial years, contingent on required contributions.
Employee and employer contribution rules: active employees must contribute 6% of earnable compensation; 8.25% for pay dates after October 1, 2011; 8.5% for pay dates after October 1, 2012; employers may withhold these increases as allowed.
Prior service credit purchase rules: to obtain eligible prior service credit, a member must pay 1% of current (or prior year's) earnable compensation per year of claimed credit within two years of January 1, 2001 (with an exception for Alabama Forestry Commission firefighters).
Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval.

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