HB 168 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

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

HB 168 modifies how local emergency management organizations in Alabama enter into agreements for emergency assistance. It transfers the authority to create these "mutual aid agreements" from the organization's director to its governing body. The bill also expands the scope of these agreements, allowing them to be used for general public peace and safety, not just large-scale disasters. Additionally, it ensures that employees from one political subdivision assisting another under such an agreement maintain their usual powers and immunities while working outside their home area.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Feb 5, 2025 Signed Apr 22, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Apr 22, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was finalized and enrolled for signature, transferring authority to enter mutual aid agreements from the director to the governing body of local emergency management organizations, expanding protection for employees assisting outside their jurisdiction, and adding an effective date of October 1, 2025.

Scope change

Authority to create mutual aid agreements now belongs to the governing body rather than the director, and the bill explicitly covers agreements with Indian tribes and interstate cooperation.

AUTHORITY

Authority to develop mutual aid agreements transferred from the director to the governing body of local emergency management organizations.

SCOPE

Expanded mutual aid agreements to include federally recognized Indian tribes and interstate agreements with adjoining states.

TIMELINE

Added effective date of October 1, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

Employees of political subdivisions now have explicit powers and immunities when rendering aid outside their jurisdiction under mutual aid agreements.

TECHNICAL

Removed draft synopsis and introductory text, replacing with final enrolled version with signatures and certification.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 523

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety)

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 115

lower

Feb 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Urban and Rural Development)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors