SB194 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jerry L. Fielding

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Rusty GloverCam WardGerald H. AllenTrip Pittman

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Local governmental entities, counties, municipalities and political subdivisions, employees included in definition of government entity, Sec. 11-93-1 am'd.

Summary

SB194 would include government employees in the definition of 'governmental entity' for tort claims against local governments, making the entity liable for acts by its employees within official duties.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 11-93-1 to explicitly include employees in the definition of 'governmental entity.' It clarifies that a claim arising from an employee acting within the line and scope of employment is a claim against the governmental entity, not the employee personally. It also broadens coverage to include county and city hospital boards and school boards when they operate as local government instruments. The act is declaratory of existing law and takes effect immediately after passage and approval.

Who It Affects

• Local governmental entities (counties, municipalities, and their departments, boards, and instrumentalities) and their employees, who would be treated as part of the government entity for tort claims.
• Individuals or entities that sue for bodily injury or property damage caused by a government employee acting within official duties, who would sue the government entity rather than the individual employee.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 11-93-1 to include employees within the definition of 'governmental entity.'
• Defines 'employee' to include officers, officials, and persons acting on behalf of a governmental entity within the line and scope of employment, making them part of the governmental entity for liability purposes.
• Expands the scope to include county/city hospital boards and school boards when they are instrumentalities of the municipality or county.
• States that the act is declaratory of existing law and takes effect immediately upon passage and approval.

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

Subjects

Civil Procedure