HB317 Alabama 2023 Session

Under existing law, the department or agency using the services of a state law enforcement officer, who is injured while on duty and the injury is a result of the state law enforcement officer acting within the scope of his or her job duties, is required to compensate the state law enforcement officer throughout the officer's period of recovery at the normal rate of compensation in effect for the officer at the time of injury

Also under existing law, any active or contributing member of the Employees' Retirement System of Alabama or the Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama may purchase up to two years of service credit for time he or she was receiving worker's compensation benefits and was absent from work due to a work related and compensable injury

This bill would provide that a county or municipality using the services of a county or municipal law enforcement officer or firefighter, who is injured while on duty as a result of acting within the scope of his or her job duties, is required to purchase a certain amount of service credit in the retirement system on behalf of the county or municipal law enforcement officer or firefighter for the period HB317 INTRODUCED of time that the law enforcement officer or firefighter was absent from work and receiving worker's compensation benefits

Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, 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 bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. 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 county and municipal law enforcement officers; to amend Section 36-27-58.1, Code of Alabama 1975, HB317 INTRODUCED to require a county or municipality using the services of a county or municipal law enforcement officer or firefighter to purchase a certain amount of service credit in the retirement system on behalf of the county or municipal law enforcement officer or firefighter under certain circumstances; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.