Alabama Emergency Management Act
Alabama · Military Affairs and Civil Defense · §§ 31-9-1 to 31-9-9 · 24 sections
Overview
The act establishes a statewide framework for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters and other emergencies, placing administration with a state emergency management agency headed by a director responsible for a comprehensive emergency management plan and related statewide programs, advised by an emergency management council, and vesting the governor with general emergency powers. It authorizes political subdivisions to establish local and joint local emergency management organizations, and provides for mutual aid and interlocal agreements, acceptance of outside aid and funding, dedicated disaster response and hazard mitigation accounts, and the use of existing public services, facilities, and personnel during an emergency. It also governs liability arising from emergency work, granting immunity to participating governments, their employees, and covered volunteers, and creates an administrative claims and compensation system, including compensation boards, that generally serves as the exclusive remedy for injury or death suffered in emergency management activities.
Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.
In the courts
Sections of this act have been cited in 2 court decisions.
Most-cited authority: 668 F.3d 281 - In re Fema Trailer Formaldehyde Products Liability Litigation
Sections covered
- Ala. Code § 31-9-1Short Title.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-10Local Emergency Management Organizations; Emergency Powers of Political Subdivisions.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-11Powers, Immunities, Etc., of Employees of Political Subdivisions Rendering Outside Aid.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-12Reimbursement of Expenses of Operation of Mobile Support Units of Other States; Operation of Alabama Mobile Support Units in Other States.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-13Orders, Rules and Regulations of Governor - Effect; Distribution.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-14Orders, Rules, and Regulations of Governor - Enforcement.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-15Orders, Rules, and Regulations of Governor - Enforcement - Arrests Without Warrant.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-16Immunity of State, Etc., from Liability for Torts Resulting from Emergency Management Activities; Exemptions of Emergency Management Workers from License Requirements; Powers, Duties, Etc., of Emergency Management Workers.1 cite
- Ala. Code § 31-9-17Exemption from Tort Liability of Persons Granting License or Privilege for Use of Real Estate, Etc., for Shelters.1 cite
- Ala. Code § 31-9-18Governor, Etc., May Accept Services, Etc., from Federal Government, Private Persons, Etc.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-19Political Activities by Emergency Management Organizations.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-2Findings and Declarations of Necessity; Purpose of Article and Public Policy.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-20Employment of Subversives by Emergency Management Organizations; Loyalty Oath.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-21Compensation Insurance for Emergency Management Workers and Trainees.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-22Penalties.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-23Article to Be Liberally Construed.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-24Regular and Emergency Appropriations; State Grants to Political Subdivisions.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-25Continued Operation of Business and Religious Entities During a State of Emergency; Alabama State House to Remain Open to Public While Legislature in Session.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-3Definitions.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-4State Emergency Management Agency; Director of Emergency Management. (Amended by Act 2026-297)
- Ala. Code § 31-9-6Powers and Duties of Governor with Respect to Emergency Management.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-7Mutual Interstate Aid Agreements and Compacts.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-8Emergency Powers of Governor.
- Ala. Code § 31-9-9Powers and Duties of Local Emergency Management Organizations as to Mutual Aid Agreements.
Enacted in other states
Georgia, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Washington
Download
Copy
Embed on your site
Hover to preview · click to copy the code