HB168 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Allen TreadawayRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Local emergency management organizations; mutual aid agreements with other public and private agencies

Summary

HB168 lets local emergency management governing bodies enter mutual aid agreements with public and private agencies for reciprocal emergency aid and extends protections for out-of-subdivision assistance.

What This Bill Does

It moves the authority to enter mutual aid agreements from the EM director to the local governing body, allowing agreements with public/private agencies within Alabama for reciprocal aid during disasters and to protect public health and safety. It also authorizes agreements with adjoining states, other political subdivisions, and federally recognized Indian tribes located in the state, and requires agreements to align with the state emergency management plan and be filed with the State Director. Additionally, it extends the same powers and immunities to employees of other subdivisions when they render outside aid under these agreements. The act takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Local emergency management organizations and their governing bodies in Alabama, who gain authority to develop and manage mutual aid agreements with other agencies for reciprocal aid.
• Employees of political subdivisions and other participating agencies who render outside aid, who gain the same powers and immunities as when performing duties within their own subdivision.

Key Provisions

• The governing body of each local EM may develop mutual aid agreements with public and private agencies within the state for reciprocal emergency management aid, and with other agencies for aid to protect public peace, health, and safety and to preserve lives and property; agreements must align with the state EM plan and be filed with the State Director of Emergency Management immediately after entering.
• The governing body may assist in negotiating reciprocal mutual aid agreements with adjoining states or their subdivisions and will carry out such agreements.
• The governing body may develop mutual aid agreements with federally recognized Indian tribes located within the state.
• Defines 'governing body' as the political subdivision establishing the local EM.
• Employees rendering outside aid under these mutual aid agreements have the same powers, duties, rights, privileges, and immunities as if performing within their own subdivision.
• Nonsubstantive updates to the code language to reflect current style.
• Effective date: October 1, 2025.

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

Subjects

Public Safety & Emergencies