HB 116 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program; to permit EMS regional agencies to participate in education instruction

HB 116 expands Alabama's Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program to include the Alabama Department of Public Health's regional emergency medical services (EMS) agencies. Currently, only Alabama Community College System schools, the Alabama Fire College, and the University of South Alabama could offer the required EMS education for tuition reimbursement. This bill adds designated EMS regional agencies under the Department of Public Health as eligible institutions to provide education and receive reimbursement. Students enrolled in these new programs would still need to contract to work for two years with volunteer rescue squads, fire departments, or ambulance services after obtaining their EMS license. The change primarily affects EMS students and volunteer emergency services organizations by broadening educational pathways for tuition assistance.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 6, 2026 Signed Apr 16, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Apr 16, 2026

MODERATE

This bill transitions the Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program from a draft proposal to an enrolled law, officially adding the Alabama Department of Public Health as a participating educational institution. It establishes specific rules for how tuition funds are distributed among fire departments, rescue squads, and ambulance services, and sets up a repayment mechanism if students fail to complete their required two-year service commitment.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include the Alabama Department of Public Health and its regional agencies as eligible providers of education and recipients of tuition reimbursement, whereas the previous version only listed colleges and universities.

SCOPE

Added the Alabama Department of Public Health and its designated regional EMS agencies as eligible educational institutions and participating entities in the tuition reimbursement program.

FISCAL

Established a new requirement that tuition reimbursement funds must be split equitably among volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, and ambulance services, with priority given to these groups over other potential recipients.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a specific enforcement clause requiring students who fail to meet service requirements to repay the full amount of reimbursed tuition plus 8% interest to the state.

REQUIREMENT

Added a monetary cap on tuition reimbursement for students attending designated regional EMS agencies, ensuring it does not exceed the cap applied to the Alabama Fire College.

DEFINITION

Updated and renumbered legal definitions to include new terms like 'Designated EMS Regional Agency' and clarified the status of 'Student' to include those enrolled at the newly added health department agencies.

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

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1319

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Jan 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Finance and Taxation Education)

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 148

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Ways and Means Education)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors