The bill amends Sections 32-6-271 and 32-6-280 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to increase the annual additional fee for distinctive motor vehicle license plates for volunteer and professional firefighters from one dollar ($1.00) to ten dollars ($10). It specifies the distribution of the collected fees, allocating 15% to the Alabama Joint Fire Council for the Alabama Firefighter Memorial, 15% for the Firefighter Peer Support Program, and 35% each to the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund and the State of Alabama Firefighters Emergency Relief Fund. Additionally, the funds generated by this fee will be subject to audit every three years. The bill also updates definitions related to "professional firefighter" and "retired professional firefighter," ensuring inclusivity and clarity.

Moreover, the bill removes the previous requirement for a $3 fee and establishes that the distinctive plates can only be used on personally owned, private passenger vehicles registered in the firefighter's name. It introduces penalties for individuals who falsely obtain or certify for these plates, classifying such actions as a Class C misdemeanor. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. Key insertions include the clarification of the term "license" and the addition of "retired" to the designation of eligible firefighters, while certain outdated terms have been deleted to enhance the law's clarity and functionality.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 32-6-271, 32-6-280
Engrossed: 32-6-271, 32-6-280