The bill amends Section 36-32-2 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which pertains to the Alabama Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission. The key changes include increasing the commission's membership from seven to nine members and specifying the qualifications and appointment process for the additional members. The bill introduces new appointments by the Presiding Officer of the Senate, who will appoint two certified firefighters with experience in mentorship and training for aspiring firefighters and volunteer firefighters, respectively. Additionally, it clarifies that the state Fire Marshal or their designee will serve as a member, while the Lieutenant Governor and Governor will each nominate one member to the commission.

The bill also makes several technical revisions to the existing code language, such as replacing "the age of" with "of age" and changing "nominating entity" to "appointing authority." It stipulates that if a vacancy occurs, the original appointing authority will nominate a replacement, and all nominees must be confirmed by the Senate. Furthermore, it ensures that the commission's membership reflects the state's diversity in terms of race, gender, geography, and economic status. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-32-2, 36-32-2
Engrossed: 36-32-2, 36-32-2
Enrolled: 36-32-2, 36-32-2