HB374 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ritchie WhortonRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Additional fee, professional firefighter distinctive motor vehicle license plate
Summary: HB374 would raise annual fees for firefighter license plates and create new firefighter-themed plates with specific designs, directing the funds to memorials, support programs, and relief funds.
What This Bill Does
The bill increases the annual cost of firefighter distinctive license plates for volunteers, professional firefighters, and retirees, and specifies how those funds are distributed to four firefighter-related programs. It creates distinctive plates for professional and retired professional firefighters, with designs chosen by firefighter associations, and sets eligibility and proof requirements for obtaining them. It requires issuance through county license offices, includes penalties for fraudulent applications, and imposes an audit requirement on the funds; it takes effect October 1, 2024, with phased fee increases (including a future $10 increase for professional plates starting January 1, 2025).

Who It Affects
Volunteer and professional firefighters who purchase or renew firefighter distinctive license plates, who would pay higher annual fees and see new plate designs.
Retired professional firefighters who apply for or renew retired professional firefighter distinctive plates, who would pay an annual fee and receive plates with designs coordinated by firefighters associations.
County license issuing officials and the state Comptroller, who would collect the new fees and distribute the proceeds monthly to designated firefighter funds.
Firefighter-related organizations (e.g., Alabama Joint Fire Council, Firefighters' Annuity and Benefit Fund, Firefighter Peer Support Program, Emergency Relief Fund) that receive a portion of the new fees.

Key Provisions
Amends Sections 32-6-271 and 32-6-280 to increase fees for volunteer and professional firefighter distinctive license plates and to provide for distribution of the collected fees.
Distinctive firefighter plates must include a red Maltese Cross emblem on each side of the numbers and the words 'Fire Fighter' or 'Firefighter' at the bottom.
Annual additional fee added to firefighter plates: $1.00 (effective 1/1/2022, with later adjustments), and a separate $10.00 increase for professional firefighter plates beginning 1/1/2025.
Monthly distribution of net proceeds to four funds: Memorial (Alabama Firefighter Memorial), Firefighter Peer Support Program, Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund, and the State Firefighters Emergency Relief Fund (amounts specified in the bill).
Eligibility and issuance provisions: professional and retired professional firefighters, including proof of retirement or membership, may receive distinctive plates; lists of eligible individuals are prepared by the Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission; plates issued through license officials with standard fees plus the new added fee, and proof requirements vary by retirement status.
Penalties for fraudulent applications: anyone who fraudulently obtains or certifies a plate is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
Audit requirements: funds from the additional fees are subject to audit at defined intervals.
Effective date: October 1, 2024.

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