HB314 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Curtis L. TravisRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Distinctive license plate to include fire chaplains

Summary

HB314 would allow fire chaplains to get the firefighter distinctive license plate, with a $1 annual fee that funds memorial and support programs and a defined plate design.

What This Bill Does

It expands eligibility for the firefighter distinctive license plate to include fire chaplains who are members in good standing of the Alabama Fellowship of Fire Chaplains, verified by an affidavit. It adds an annual $1 plate fee and directs the proceeds to the Alabama Joint Fire Council for the Firefighter Memorial and the Firefighter Peer Support Program, with chaplain plate fees going to the Fellowship of Fire Chaplains. It specifies the plate design and use on personally owned private passenger vehicles, and creates penalties for falsely obtaining the plate. It also requires audits of the funds, allows Revenue Department rulemaking, and sets an effective date of January 1, 2025; the bill is exempt from certain local-government spending vote requirements because it creates a new crime.

Who It Affects

• Fire chaplains: eligible to receive the firefighter distinctive license plate if they are in good standing and provide verification via affidavit.
• Alabama Fellowship of Fire Chaplains and Alabama Joint Fire Council: receive and manage the new and existing plate-related funds for memorial and support programs.
• Licensing officials and the Department of Revenue: collect the $1 annual fee, distribute funds as specified, administer rules, and audit funds.
• Firefighters and related memorial and peer support programs: benefit from the dedicated funding streams.

Key Provisions

• Expands eligibility for the firefighter distinctive license plate to include fire chaplains.
• Requires proof of chaplain status by an affidavit from the President of the Alabama Fellowship of Fire Chaplains.
• Adds a $1 annual fee for the plate; distributes proceeds to the Firefighter Memorial fund and the Firefighter Peer Support Program, with chaplain plate fees going to the Fellowship of Fire Chaplains.
• Specifies plate design: red Maltese cross on each side and 'Fire Fighter' centered at the bottom; plate used only on owner-occupied private passenger vehicles.
• Imposes a Class C misdemeanor for falsely obtaining the plate; authorizes Department of Revenue rulemaking and mandates fund audits every three years.
• Effective January 1, 2025; local-spending rules under Section 111.05 are bypassed because the bill creates/changes a crime, per constitutional exceptions.

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

Subjects

Motor Vehicles & Traffic