HB455 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David StandridgeRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to volunteer fire departments; to amend Sections 9-3-11, 9-3-12, and 9-3-13, Code of Alabama 1975, to create and provide duties and procedures for the Rural and Community Fire Protection Advisory Committee; and to add Section 9-3-21 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to create and provide procedures for administration of the Rural and Community Fire Protection Development and Improvement Grant Program.

Summary

HB455 creates a Rural and Community Fire Protection Advisory Committee and a grant program to support volunteer fire departments in rural Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a 13-member Rural and Community Fire Protection Advisory Committee of volunteer firefighters and related associations to advise the State Forester on improving rural fire protection. It also creates the Rural and Community Fire Protection Development and Improvement Grant Program with a dedicated fund to help certified volunteer fire departments with recruitment, staffing, facilities, equipment, training, and better communications and water infrastructure. Grant proposals are reviewed by the advisory committee and funded by the Alabama Forestry Commission, which also ensures geographic and racial diversity and provides an accompanying statewide training program for grant recipients.

Who It Affects

• Certified volunteer fire departments and related entities (nonprofit groups, municipalities, fire districts, and county volunteer associations) that may apply for and receive grants or certification improvements.
• Residents and communities served by rural volunteer fire departments, who would benefit from improved fire protection, equipment, training, and communication capabilities.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Rural and Community Fire Protection Advisory Committee to advise the State Forester on improving rural fire protection.
• Sets the 13-member committee composition and appointment process, with all members being volunteer firefighters and diversity considerations.
• Requires the committee to make recommendations on program improvements, immediate problems, training, parts exchange, and federal grant-based financial support, and on grants under Section 9-3-21.
• Establishes the Rural and Community Fire Protection Development and Improvement Grant Program and Fund within the Alabama Forestry Commission; funds are in the State Treasury and administered by the Commission.
• Defines eligible grant recipients (certified volunteer fire departments and related entities) and sets grant goals, including recruitment, staffing, facilities, equipment, training, and communications and water infrastructure.
• Outlines the grant review process (advisory recommendations, then Commission funding decisions) and requires consideration of geographic and racial diversity; grants may be fully or partially funded.
• Imposes a statewide training program for grant recipients; requires at least two officers to be trained and directs state agencies to cooperate; costs paid from the fund; prohibits compensation affecting unsalaried membership rules.
• Specifies restrictions on use of funds by the Division of Construction Management and preserves building standards for funded projects.
• Addresses fund administration, including a five percent admin allowance and funds that do not revert at year-end for continued use.

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

Subjects

Forestry Commission, advisory committee and grant program for rural and community fire protection created