HB72 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ritchie WhortonRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Motor vehicles, firefighter distinctive license plate for volunteer and professional firefighters, fee increased, distribution of funds
Summary: HB72 increases annual fees for firefighter license plates (volunteer, professional, and retired) and directs the proceeds to four firefighter-focused funds, with new plate designs and administrative rules.
What This Bill Does
The bill raises the annual additional fee for firefighter distinctive plates by $1 for volunteer firefighters and by $10 for professional and retired professional firefighters, with the changes taking effect in 2022 (though the act itself becomes effective on January 1, 2026). It then distributes the net proceeds monthly to four funds: 15% to the Alabama Firefighter Memorial Fund, 15% to the Firefighter Peer Support Program, 35% to the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund, and 35% to the State Firefighters Emergency Relief Fund. It also sets plate design requirements, authorizes issuance through county license officials, exempts the $3 issuance fee, and requires audits of the funds every three years.

Who It Affects
Volunteer firefighters applying for distinctive firefighter license plates will pay an added annual fee of $1, with the proceeds supporting memorials, peer support, and relief/benefit funds.
Professional firefighters and retired professional firefighters will pay an added annual fee of $10, with the proceeds supporting the same four firefighter-related funds.

Key Provisions
Annual additional fee increased by $1 for volunteer firefighter distinctive plates and by $10 for professional and retired professional firefighter distinctive plates, effective January 1, 2022.
Net proceeds from the additional fees are distributed monthly as: 15% to the Alabama Firefighter Memorial Fund, 15% to the Firefighter Peer Support Program, 35% to the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund, and 35% to the State Firefighters Emergency Relief Fund.
Distinctive plate designs: volunteer plates feature a red Maltese cross emblem and 'Fire Fighter' wording; professional and retired plates have designs created by firefighter associations, coordinated with related groups, and issued in a manner similar to other plates.
Administrative changes: plates issued through county license officials with regular license fees (no $3 issuance fee required); annual audits of the funds; act becomes effective January 1, 2026 (with the described 2022 effective date for fee changes).

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