HB591 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Duwayne Bridges

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Military, Code of Justice, disciplinary penalties, reduction in rank prohibited in certain cases, commanding officer defined to include certain warrant officers, summary court martial, authority, Secs. 31-2A-1, 31-2A-15, 31-2A-20 am'd.

Summary

HB591 would align Alabama's military justice with federal code by revising penalties, expanding who can impose them, redefining commanding officers to include warrant officers, and limiting discharge orders from summary courts-martial.

What This Bill Does

HB591 updates the state code to be substantially similar to the federal code. It prohibits reducing the rank of commissioned officers through nonjudicial punishment and expands which officials can impose nonjudicial penalties to include generals, the Adjutant General, and the Governor. It also redefines 'commanding officer' to include warrant officers in command positions and limits summary court-martial authority by clarifying it cannot order a discharge.

Who It Affects

• Commissioned officers in the Alabama National Guard: cannot be subjected to a reduction in rank via nonjudicial punishment; nonjudicial penalties may be imposed by generals, the Adjutant General, and the Governor rather than being limited to lower-level field-grade officers.
• Warrant officers in command positions and higher command authorities: warrant officers become included in the definition of commanding officer, and high-level officials may impose penalties; summary court-martial discharge authority is restricted.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 31-2A-1, 31-2A-15, and 31-2A-20 to realign with federal military justice concepts.
• Prohibits the use of nonjudicial punishment to reduce the rank of commissioned officers.
• Authorizes generals, the Adjutant General, and the Governor to impose nonjudicial punishment penalties that are otherwise available to field-grade officers.
• Defines 'commanding officer' to include warrant officers in command positions (and includes officers in charge when administering nonjudicial punishment).
• Clarifies that summary courts-martial do not have the authority to order any discharge.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Military