§36-32-2. Creation; composition; qualifications of members; appointment; terms of office; adoption of bylaws.

(a) The Alabama Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission shall consist of seven members, each of whom shall be a qualified elector of the state who is over the age of 18 years. The Professional Firefighters Association of Alabama shall nominate one certified firefighter to serve for a term of four years; the Alabama Firefighter's Association shall nominate one certified firefighter to serve for a term of four years; the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs shall nominate one certified firefighter to serve for a term of four years; the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments shall nominate one certified volunteer firefighter to serve for a term of four years; the State Fire Marshal or his or her designee shall serve as a member; the Lieutenant Governor shall nominate one member; and the Governor shall nominate one member of the commission. The members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and the Governor shall each serve for terms of four years. Should a vacancy occur during the term of a commission member, the original nominating entity shall nominate a replacement to serve for the remainder of the term. Each nominee shall be confirmed by the Senate before the nominee becomes a member of the commission. No commissioner who is then serving on the commission or whose term has just expired shall be required to be reconfirmed for a new term, once nominated by the Professional Firefighters Association of Alabama, the Alabama Firefighters Association, the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs, the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, the Lieutenant Governor, or the Governor. Each member of the commission shall serve until his or her successor is confirmed by the Senate. If the Senate rejects the nominee, the nominating entity shall make a replacement nomination. The nominee of the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs shall be appointed in 2013 at the expiration of the term of office of the designee of the Governor whose appointment ends in 2013. The nominee of the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments shall be appointed in 2014 at the expiration of the term of office of the designee of the Governor whose appointment ends in 2014. No commissioner may serve more than two consecutive terms. The members may adopt bylaws to govern the organization of the commission, its meetings, and activities; provided, that the bylaws shall not conflict with this chapter.

(b) The membership of the commission shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state.

(Acts 1975, No. 863, p. 1701, §2; Acts 1980, No. 80-809, p. 1669, §1; Acts 1988, No. 88-663, p. 1064, §2; Act 2012-207, p. 340, §1.)