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-HB469 INTRODUCED
-Page 0
-HB469
-ZQ1I3KR-1
-By Representative Hollis
-RFD: Public Safety and Homeland Security
-First Read: 17-Feb-26
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-ZQ1I3KR-1 02/06/2026 EGC (L)EGC 2026-646
+FN-SLE9E85-1
 Page 1
-First Read: 17-Feb-26
-SYNOPSIS:
-This bill would create the Municipal
-Firefighters' Bill of Rights.
-This bill would provide minimum standards for
-investigations of improper conduct or disciplinary
-actions that may result in termination, demotion, or
-other disciplinary action that could result in loss of
-pay or status.
-This bill would provide that a firefighter is
-not required to make disclosures about personal assets
-or finances in relation to a promotion or job
-assignment.
-This bill would require a firefighter to be
-notified of a pending personnel action.
-This bill would provide that a firefighter may
-engage in political activities when off duty or
-otherwise not acting in his or her official capacity.
-This bill would also prohibit penalizing a
-firefighter for exercising his or her rights.
-A BILL
-TO BE ENTITLED
-AN ACT
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-HB469 INTRODUCED
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-Relating to municipal fire departments; to create the
-Municipal Firefighters' Bill of Rights; to provide minimum
-standards for investigations of improper conduct or
-disciplinary actions; to provide that a firefighter shall not
-be required to make certain disclosures for the purpose of
-promotion or job assignment; to require notification of
-pending personnel action; to provide a firefighter may engage
-in political activity when not on duty; and to provide that a
-firefighter shall not be penalized for exercising his or her
-rights.
-BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
-Section 1.  (a) The Municipal Firefighters' Bill of
-Rights is created.
-(b) A municipality may adopt a local ordinance
-establishing any or all of the rights and procedures
-prescribed under this act as a guide for negotiating personnel
-issues with municipal firefighters.
-Section 2.  For the purposes of this act, the following
-terms have the following meanings:
-(1) FIREFIGHTER. A public servant vested by law with
-the primary duty of fighting fires and providing fire
-protection services to a municipality.
-(2) FORMAL PROCEEDING. A proceeding heard before any
-officer, committee, or other body of municipal government with
-the authority to take disciplinary action against a
-firefighter.
-(3) OFFICIAL DEPARTMENTAL CHARGES. A written document
-from the fire chief or other lawful authority notifying the
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-HB469 INTRODUCED
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-from the fire chief or other lawful authority notifying the
-accused firefighter that charges of misconduct have been made
-against him or her and setting forth the specifics of the
-alleged misconduct.
-Section 3.  When a firefighter is under investigation
-for alleged improper conduct with a possible result of
-termination, demotion, or other disciplinary action causing
-loss of pay or status, the following minimum standards may
-apply to the investigation:
-(1) Adverse inference shall not be drawn and no
-punitive action shall be taken from a refusal of the
-firefighter being investigated to participate in the
-investigation or to be interrogated other than when the
-firefighter is on duty or is otherwise fully compensated for
-the time spent in accordance with municipal and departmental
-overtime policy, state law, and federal law.
-(2) The interrogation of a firefighter shall take place
-at any of the following locations:
-a. The office of those conducting the investigation.
-b. The place where the firefighter reports for duty.
-c. Another reasonable place as the investigator may
-determine.
-(3) The firefighter being investigated shall be
-informed at the commencement of his or her interrogation of
-all of the following information:
-a. The nature of the investigation.
-b. The identity and authority of the individual or
-individuals conducting the investigation.
-c. The identity of all individuals present during the
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-HB469 INTRODUCED
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-c. The identity of all individuals present during the
-interrogation.
-(4) During the interrogation of a firefighter,
-questions shall be posed by or through only one interrogator
-at a time.
-(5) The interrogation of a firefighter in connection
-with an investigation shall be for a reasonable period of time
-and shall allow for reasonable periods for the rest and
-personal necessities of the firefighter.
-(6) No threat, harassment, promise, or reward shall be
-made to a firefighter in connection with an investigation in
-order to induce the answering of any questions that the
-firefighter has a legal right to refrain from answering,
-however immunity from prosecution may be offered to induce a
-response.
-(7)a. An interrogation of a firefighter in connection
-with an investigation against him or her shall be recorded in
-full.
-b. A firefighter may make his or her own independent
-recording of the interrogation and may have one witness of his
-or her choosing present who shall be either of the following:
-1. An attorney.
-2. A member of the fire department who is not related
-in any way to the matter under investigation.
-(8) A formal proceeding with the authority to
-administer disciplinary action against a firefighter shall not
-be held unless official departmental charges are brought
-against the firefighter.
-(9) Official departmental charges shall contain all of
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-(9) Official departmental charges shall contain all of
-the following information:
-a. Specific conduct that is alleged to be improper.
-b. Date and time of the alleged misconduct.
-c. Witnesses whose information provided the basis for
-the charges.
-d. Specific rules, regulations, orders, or laws alleged
-to have been violated.
-(10)a. A firefighter under official departmental
-charges is entitled to a predisciplinary hearing before the
-fire chief, if disciplinary action is being considered.
-b. The firefighter may select one individual of his or
-her choosing to be present at the predisciplinary hearing.
-(11) A formal proceeding under which a firefighter may
-be penalized shall not be brought except upon charges signed
-by the individual making those charges.
-Section 4.  Except under exigent circumstances, a
-firefighter shall be notified of a pending personnel action by
-written official departmental charges a reasonable time before
-any action is taken when a personnel action may result in the
-loss of pay, benefits, or status.
-Section 5.  A firefighter may not be required to
-disclose any of the following information as it relates to the
-firefighter or a member of the firefighter's household for the
-purpose of promotion or assignment:
-(1) An item of his or her property.
-(2) Income.
-(3) Assets.
-(4) Debts.
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-(4) Debts.
-(5) Expenditures.
-Section 6.  Except when on duty or acting in his or her
-official capacity, a municipal firefighter may not be
-prohibited from engaging in political activity or denied the
-right to refrain from engaging in political activity.
-Section 7.  (a) A firefighter may not be penalized or
-threatened with a penalty for exercising his or her rights
-under this act.
-(b) This act is not an exclusive legal remedy for a
-firefighter with respect to any rights the firefighter has
-under this act.
-Section 8.  This act shall become effective on October
-1, 2026.
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+FISCAL NOTE
+House Bill 469
+Committee: Public Safety and Homeland Security Sponsor: Representative Rolanda Hollis
+Analyst: Mathieu Fuller Date: 02/23/2026
+House Bill 469 as introduced would not directly affect state or local funding.