The State of Alabama must update procurement and fleet policies to favor energy-efficient vehicles, efficient fleet operation, vehicle review and replacement, anti-idling rules, employee training, maintenance optimization, and carpooling/vanpooling support.
(a) In order to accomplish the goals stated in Section 41-17A-4, the State of Alabama shall modify procurement procedures, implement policies, conduct reviews, and take other actions as provided in this section. (b) The following shall be the official policies of the State of Alabama pursuant to this chapter: (1) To purchase, lease, or otherwise obtain or procure the most energy efficient vehicles possible that meet the operational needs of the department or agency for which the vehicles are intended by using life cycle costing as a method of determining the most cost efficient vehicles for the departments or agencies. (2) To manage and operate its fleets in a manner that is energy efficient, that minimizes emissions, and that reduces petroleum dependency by utilizing specified proven technology identified by the Green Fleets Review Committee. (3) To review every new vehicle purchase request and modify as necessary to ensure that the vehicle class to which the requesting vehicle belongs is appropriate for the duty requirements that the vehicle will be called upon to perform. (4) To review the fleet inventory data required by Section 41-17A-3 to identify older vehicles that are not used or used infrequently, as well as those vehicles that are disproportionately inefficient, and schedule their elimination or replacement by determining the most cost effective methodology of establishing surplus inventory within all departments and agencies. (5) To implement an anti-idling policy prohibiting state employees from idling all state-owned or operated vehicles for an excessive period of time. (6) To implement educational programs for state employees to drive efficiently and utilize efficient vehicle operating techniques. (7) To maintain vehicles at optimal efficiency by reviewing current maintenance schedules for all fleet vehicles and increasing or decreasing maintenance wherever cost-effective benefits will accrue as a result. (8) To encourage carpooling and vanpooling by state employees by allowing commuter fees to be paid out of pretax income withholding as allowed by federal tax laws to help reduce fuel consumption, pollution, traffic, and parking congestion.