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AlabamaSB2312026 Regular SessionSenate

Security; security provided at new Alabama State House, parking deck, and adjacent park

Sponsored By: Sam Givhan (Republican)

Enacted

Legislature

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Expanded security for Alabama legislative sites

Effective upon enactment, the law expands security coverage for legislative spaces, including State House floors three through eight. Coverage also includes other legislative areas, the new State House, its legislative parking deck, and the adjacent park. Security work must be coordinated with the Legislative Council secretary, Senate secretary, and House clerk. The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency handles perimeter and entrance security at both State Houses as the Legislative Council directs. State agencies must help when requested, and legislative security officers' police powers apply only in designated areas. Official legislative events elsewhere in Alabama receive protection when designated by the Senate and House leaders in coordination with the agency.

Felony penalties for harmful Capitol drone use

Intentionally using a drone to watch, photograph, or record a Capitol area to commit a crime is a Class C felony. Intentionally or knowingly using a drone to disrupt Capitol operations or cause a disturbance is also a Class C felony. That disruption rule applies within 500 horizontal feet and 250 vertical feet of a Capitol area's perimeter. These rules protect Capitol workers and visitors while adding serious criminal penalties for drone operators.

New drone limits near Alabama Capitol areas

The law bars intentional or knowing drone use near state-property construction or improvement sites within Capitol areas without the state law-enforcement secretary's written permission. The construction buffer extends 250 horizontal feet and 250 vertical feet from the site's perimeter. Beginning January 1, 2027, intentional or knowing drone use is also banned within 500 horizontal feet and 250 vertical feet of Capitol-area perimeters. For either restriction, a first offense is a Class C misdemeanor; a second or later offense is a Class B misdemeanor. Exceptions cover federal and Alabama government work, including people acting officially on their behalf, emergency police or fire response, and use allowed by the secretary's written permission or permit.

State gains drone enforcement and permit powers

Capitol areas include downtown Montgomery's area bounded by Madison Avenue, High Street, Lawrence Street, and Hilliard Street, plus the Governor's Mansion and adjoining property and any official governor's residence. The state law-enforcement secretary can designate additional or temporary Capitol areas, including official legislative and judicial meeting sites. The secretary can create drone-permit procedures and enforcement rules; permit rules require input from the Governor, Legislative Council, and Administrative Office of Courts. The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency can take reasonable and necessary steps against violating drones, including hacking, capture, and jamming allowed by federal law. It can also seize the drone, its parts, and attached or dropped property used in a violation, putting owners' equipment at risk.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Sam Givhan

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 509 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Chambliss Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 731

Yes: 30 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 790

Yes: 104 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 104 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 789

Yes: 103 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 791

Yes: 104 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 342

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    3/17/2026Senate

  2. Chambliss Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 731

    3/10/2026Senate

  3. Ready to Enroll

    3/10/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled

    3/10/2026Senate

  5. Delivered to Governor

    3/10/2026Senate

  6. Signature Requested

    3/10/2026House

  7. Carried Over to the Call of the Chair

    3/5/2026House

  8. Third Reading in Second House

    3/5/2026House

  9. State Government Engrossed Substitute Offered

    3/5/2026House

  10. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 789

    3/5/2026House

  11. Pringle 1st Amendment Offered

    3/5/2026House

  12. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 790

    3/5/2026House

  13. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 791

    3/5/2026House

  14. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/19/2026House

  15. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    2/18/2026House

  16. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on State Government

    2/12/2026House

  17. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    2/12/2026House

  18. Third Reading in House of Origin

    2/10/2026Senate

  19. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 342

    2/10/2026Senate

  20. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/5/2026Senate

  21. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    2/4/2026Senate

  22. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on State Governmental Affairs

    1/29/2026Senate

  23. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    1/29/2026Senate

Bill Text

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