House Bill 160 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ronald BoltonRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Tuscaloosa County; overtime compensation, public safety employees, further provided

Summary

HB160 changes overtime rules for Tuscaloosa County public safety workers, adds a four 10-hour shift option in Northport/Tuscaloosa, and sets new fire-protection overtime rules, effective October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill requires time-and-a-half pay or compensatory leave for law enforcement officers in Tuscaloosa County who work more than 8 hours in a day or more than 40 hours in a week. It also allows Northport and Tuscaloosa to adopt four 10-hour shifts for certain police positions, with the same overtime options for hours beyond 10 in a day or 40 in a week. For fire protection workers in municipalities in Tuscaloosa County, overtime would apply after 24 hours in a tour or 53 hours in a week, with options to average hours and possibly institute a shorter work week; paid leave counts as hours worked, and employees choose between overtime pay or compensatory leave. The City of Tuscaloosa’s Executive Director of Public Safety is not eligible for overtime or compensatory leave under this act.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement officers serving Tuscaloosa County (county agencies and city police within the county) who work overtime, with overtime pay or compensatory leave at the employee's option.
• Municipal fire protection workers in Tuscaloosa County and related city police personnel who may be affected by new overtime thresholds and related leaves, with the Executive Director of Public Safety excluded from overtime/compensatory leave.

Key Provisions

• Overtime rules for Tuscaloosa County law enforcement: time-and-a-half pay or compensatory leave for hours over 8 in a day or over 40 in a week; employee choice governs which option is used; includes a four 10-hour shift option for Northport/Tuscaloosa police if adopted by the city councils.
• Fire protection overtime and related rules: overtime after 24 hours in a tour or 53 hours in a calendar week; potential averaging of hours under FLSA; possibility of a shorter work week; paid leave counted as hours worked; employee choice between overtime pay and compensatory leave; Executive Director of Public Safety excluded from overtime/compensatory leave.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 17, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Tuscaloosa County