Senate Bill 249 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will BarfootSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

SB249 would raise annual fees for firefighter distinctive license plates (volunteer and professional/retired) and direct the new money to firefighter memorials, programs, and benefits, with changes to plate design and eligibility processes.

What This Bill Does

The bill increases the annual additional fees added to the cost of firefighter license plates for both volunteer and professional/retired plates and specifies how the net proceeds are distributed to four firefighter-related funds each month. It also updates plate design requirements (volunteer plates would feature a red Maltese cross on both sides with 'Fire Fighter' at the bottom; professional/retired plates would have designs created by firefighter associations) and creates processes to verify eligible firefighters and issue plates through county license issuing officials, with required annual lists and audits. The act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

Who It Affects

• Volunteer firefighters and their families who purchase volunteer distinctive plates; they would pay higher annual fees and potentially benefit from funding for the Memorial and Peer Support programs.
• Professional firefighters and retired professional firefighters who purchase professional/retired distinctive plates; they would face higher costs and would be part of the funding distribution to memorials, benefits, and relief funds.

Key Provisions

• Volunteer firefighter plates: changes to plate design (red Maltese cross on both sides and 'Fire Fighter' centered at the bottom) and an added annual fee to the plate cost, with monthly distribution of net proceeds to four funds: Memorial, Firefighter Peer Support Program, Annuity and Benefit Fund, and Emergency Relief Fund.
• Professional/retired professional plates: plate design created by firefighter associations, plus an added annual fee (including an additional $10 specifically for professional plates) to the plate cost, with monthly distribution of net proceeds to the same four funds as above.
• Revenue administration: net proceeds from the additional fees are deposited with the state Comptroller and are subject to audit every three calendar years by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts or an independent CPA.
• Eligibility and issuance: the Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission must annually compile lists of eligible professional and retired professional firefighters; plates are issued through county license officials with verification requirements; joins after December 1 can obtain plates with proof of membership.
• Penalties and administration: any person who falsely obtains or certifies someone to obtain a distinctive firefighter plate shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor; the Department of Revenue may adopt rules to administer the act.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective January 1, 2027.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles & Traffic