House Bill 253 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ritchie WhortonRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Distinctive license plates; volunteer and professional firefighters plate fee increased, distribution of funds provided for

Summary

HB253 would raise the annual fees for volunteer and professional firefighter distinctive license plates and specify how the extra money is distributed to firefighter-related funds in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds annual extra fees to firefighter plates: $1 for volunteer firefighter plates and $10 for professional firefighter plates. The additional revenue would be distributed monthly to four firefighter programs and funds, including the Alabama Firefighter Memorial and the Alabama Firefighters Memorial Fund, the Firefighter Peer Support Program, the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund, and the Alabama Firefighters Emergency Relief Fund. The bill also changes issuance and design rules, including lists of eligible professional and retired professional firefighters and distinct plate designs created by firefighter associations, with an effective date of January 1, 2027.

Who It Affects

• Firefighters who currently hold or want to obtain the distinctive firefighter license plates (volunteer, professional, and retired professional) would face higher annual fees and new eligibility/issuance requirements.
• Firefighter-related funds and programs (Memorial, Peer Support Program, Annuity and Benefit Fund, Emergency Relief Fund) would receive the new fee revenue, with administration and oversight handled by licensing officials and the state Comptroller.

Key Provisions

• Imposes annual additional fees on firefighter plates: $1 for volunteer firefighter plates and $10 for professional firefighter plates, with the net proceeds distributed to specified firefighter funds and audited as described in the bill.
• Renews and clarifies issuance, eligibility, and design rules for professional and retired professional firefighter plates, including annual eligibility lists, proofs of membership/retirement, special plate designs by firefighter associations, and related oversight, with the act becoming effective January 1, 2027.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles & Traffic