HB 200 authorizes Escambia County to impose an additional annual $5 fee on new vehicle registrations, transfers, or renewals starting in 2027. This fee applies to all vehicles registered within the county and is collected separately from existing vehicle registration charges. The revenue generated must be distributed monthly to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Fund for law enforcement purposes. The fee requires county commission approval by December 1, 2026, and takes effect June 1, 2026.
HB 257 amends Alabama criminal law to strengthen protections for victims of sexual abuse, particularly children and vulnerable adults in custodial settings. It creates a new crime for sexual misconduct by staff in inpatient facilities (like hospitals), expands definitions of offenses like indecent exposure and directing children to engage in sexual acts to include younger victims, and adds voyeurism to the definition of "sex offense." Key changes include raising indecent exposure involving children under 12 to a felony, requiring mandatory reporting for certain offenses with stricter timelines, and allowing child statements to be used more readily in court. The bill directly affects law enforcement, healthcare facilities, and individuals accused of sexual crimes against minors or vulnerable adults.
HB 309 creates a public registry within Alabama's law enforcement agency (ALEA) for individuals convicted of two or more domestic violence offenses. It requires these "persistent offenders" to register with ALEA, pay a $150 fee (with $100 going to a domestic violence fund), and includes their name, birth date, conviction details, and photo on ALEA's website - excluding addresses or victim information. Offenders can be removed after 5-20 years, depending on prior convictions, if they commit no new offenses; new convictions reset the removal timeline. The registry becomes active January 1, 2027, and ALEA must adopt rules to manage it.
HB 301 authorizes the Southeastern Mvskoke Nation (a tribe recognized by Alabama) to hire its own certified police officers to protect tribal property, employees, and residents. The bill specifies these officers can arrest individuals for trespassing, disorderly conduct, or other offenses committed on tribal land without a warrant, and handle felony arrests under defined conditions. Crucially, the tribe must fund these officers entirely with its own resources - no state or local law enforcement funds may be used. The officers’ authority is strictly limited to tribal land, except when pursuing offenders or making felony arrests related to the reservation.
SB 156 establishes a process for courts to issue gun violence protective orders when an individual poses an immediate danger of causing injury to themselves or others. Law enforcement officers, teachers, or family members can petition for an ex parte order (temporary, valid until a hearing within 14 days) requiring the respondent to surrender all firearms and ammunition to law enforcement. If the danger continues, a one-year order may be issued, with provisions for renewal or early termination under specific conditions. Violating these orders would result in criminal penalties.
SB 233 proposes to amend penalties for drivers who elude or attempt to elude law enforcement officers. It changes the classification of violations under existing law (subsections (a) or (b)), likely increasing penalties for this offense. The bill specifies that drivers must stop "at the nearest safe place," emphasizing officer and public safety during pursuits. This bill directly affects drivers who flee police and is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.
HB 154 would allow Alabama law enforcement to arrest someone without a warrant if they are charged in another state with any felony, including crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. It also permits out-of-state officers to arrest individuals in Alabama during a "fresh pursuit" of a felony suspect - meaning they are chasing the suspect without unreasonable delay after the crime. After such an arrest, the person must be brought before a judge promptly to review the arrest's legality. If the judge finds the arrest lawful, the person may be held for extradition or released on bail; if unlawful, they must be freed.
SB 50 prohibits law enforcement officers in Alabama from using tasers on individuals who are restrained, such as those in handcuffs or other restraints. It directly affects officers by banning taser use when a person cannot resist, including during arrest or custody. The bill defines "restrained" to cover individuals secured with handcuffs, body cuffs, or similar devices, and explicitly overrides existing law (Section 13A-3-27) regarding taser use. This policy change would take effect on October 1, 2026, if enacted.
SB 120 requires all Alabama state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies for vehicular pursuits by October 2026. It restricts pursuits to suspects accused of specific serious violent crimes, including murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, rape, and offenses creating immediate threats of death or serious injury. The law mandates that policies address cross-jurisdictional pursuits (e.g., into neighboring states) and requires agencies to meet probable cause standards before authorizing a chase. Agencies failing to adopt compliant policies risk losing state or federally administered funding.
SB 49 prohibits law enforcement officers in Alabama from using tasers on individuals who are restrained (such as those in handcuffs or body restraints). It directly affects all police officers and law enforcement personnel covered by Alabama's definition of "law enforcement officer." The bill makes violations a Class C felony, imposing criminal penalties for using tasers on anyone unable to resist. If enacted, the law would take effect on October 1, 2026.
