SB 249 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

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

SB 249 increases the annual fee for volunteer and professional firefighter distinctive license plates in Alabama from $1 to $10. The bill affects firefighters who qualify for these plates, including active and retired members of paid or part-paid fire departments. The additional fees collected are distributed equally (25% each) to four specific fire service funds: the Alabama Firefighter Memorial in Tuscaloosa, the Firefighter Peer Support Program, the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund, and the Alabama Firefighters Emergency Relief Fund. This change modifies existing law to adjust both the fee amount and the allocation method for these funds.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Feb 3, 2026 Signed Mar 13, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 13, 2026

MODERATE

This bill was finalized and enrolled into law, updating the text to reflect the final version passed by the legislature. The core policy changes include establishing a $10 annual fee for firefighter license plates (up from $1), defining specific design requirements for the plates, and detailing how the collected funds will be distributed to various fire-related organizations and memorial funds.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on motor vehicle registration and firefighter identification, but the specific financial obligations and fund distribution rules have been clarified and finalized.

FISCAL

The annual additional fee for firefighter license plates was increased from one dollar ($1.00) to ten dollars ($10.00), effective January 1, 2022.

The distribution of the collected fees was updated to specify that 25% goes to the Alabama Joint Fire Council for the Firefighter Memorial, 25% to the Firefighter Peer Support Program, 25% to the Annuity and Benefit Fund, and 25% to the Emergency Relief Fund.

REQUIREMENT

New design requirements were added, mandating that firefighter plates feature a red Maltese cross emblem and the words 'Fire Fighter' centered at the bottom.

ENFORCEMENT

A new requirement was added for an audit of the funds every three calendar years, to be conducted by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts or an independent certified public accountant.

DEFINITION

Minor text corrections were made to definitions of 'Professional Firefighter' and 'Retired Professional Firefighter' to remove redundant phrasing and ensure consistency.

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

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 772

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Ways and Means General Fund)

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 482

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (County and Municipal Government)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors