SB415 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Roger Bedford, Jr.Dick BrewbakerGerald O. DialBryan TaylorJerry L. FieldingTom Whatley

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Alabama National Guard, disciplinary authority and procedures revised, new model military code similar to federal Uniform Code of Military Justice, Secs. 31-2-92 to 31-2-98, inclusive, 31-2-101, 31-2-103, 31-2-127 repealed

Summary

SB415 would replace Alabama National Guard disciplinary rules with a federal-style Military Justice system, covering non-mobilized members and adding courts-martial and non-judicial punishment.

What This Bill Does

It would adopt a revised military justice code substantially similar to the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice. The code would apply to all Alabama National Guard members during periods when they are not mobilized and would establish courts-martial and non-judicial punishment for forfeiture of pay and rank. Commanders would gain expanded authority to discipline military-specific offenses such as AWOL, insubordination, forgery, assaults on superiors, and drug positives, with the possibility of bad-conduct discharge and up to one year in a county jail. It would repeal several existing Alabama statutes and replace them with the new code.

Who It Affects

• Alabama National Guard members would be subject to a new, federal-style military justice system during non-mobilized periods, including potential court-martial punishments and forfeiture of pay or rank.
• Guard commanders and state military leadership would gain broader disciplinary authority to handle military-specific offenses and convene courts-martial under the new system.

Key Provisions

• Adoption of a revised Alabama Code of Military Justice (ACMJ) substantially similar to the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
• Application of the ACMJ to all National Guard members during periods when not mobilized.
• Creation of three types of courts-martial (general, special, and summary) and establishment of non-judicial punishment procedures.
• Authorizes punishments including forfeiture of pay and rank, and allows for bad-conduct discharge and up to one year in county jail.
• Expansion of commanders' disciplinary authority to address military-specific offenses (e.g., AWOL, insubordination, forgery, assaults on superiors, drug positives).
• Repeal of certain existing Alabama statutes (sections 31-2-92 to 31-2-98, 31-2-101, 31-2-103, and 31-2-127) and replacement with the ACMJ.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

National Guard