SB256 Alabama 2021 Session

Under existing law, only authorized emergency vehicles may use emergency lights when responding to an emergency

Also under existing law, the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may disregard certain traffic laws when responding to an emergency

This bill would authorize volunteer firefighters to operate an authorized volunteer firefighter vehicle to respond to an emergency and would authorize the vehicle to be equipped with red flashing lights

This bill would also authorize the driver of the authorized volunteer firefighter vehicle to disregard certain traffic laws while responding to an emergency

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment

Relating to motor vehicles; to add Section 32-5A-7.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to authorize volunteer firefighters to operate authorized volunteer firefighter vehicles under certain conditions; to authorize the vehicles to be equipped with emergency lights; to grant certain operating privileges to the driver of an authorized volunteer firefighter vehicle during an emergency; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.