Committee gives favorable reports to bills on fire council, local compensation and foreign‑national contribution ban

The County Municipal Government Committee advanced several relatively noncontroversial bills during its Feb. 11 meeting.

Senate Bill 249: Senator Barfoot said SB249 was a request from the Alabama Joint Fire Council (representing multiple fire service organizations) seeking an increase related to the council’s work. The sponsor said he had heard no opposition, and the committee recorded a favorable report using the previous role (transcript records the result as 7–0).

Senate Bill 259: Senator Singleton presented SB259, legislation adjusting how certain local officials’ compensation is set. Senator Coleman Madison offered and the committee accepted a friendly amendment to restore language exempting certain counties that had been inadvertently omitted. The amended bill received a favorable report (recorded as 7–0).

House Bill 214: Representative Lomax introduced HB214 to prohibit foreign nationals from directly or indirectly contributing to Alabama campaigns, constitutional amendments and ballot referendums; the sponsor said the measure "mirrors up with the federal elections commission laws." The committee moved for adoption and recorded a favorable action under the previous role; no roll‑call disputes were recorded in the transcript.

These items were advanced to the next stage; sponsors and committee members indicated minimal opposition but noted technical edits may follow for bills that received amendments.