SB272 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Priscilla Dunn

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Tammy IronsRodger SmithermanHank SandersJerry L. FieldingLinda Coleman-MadisonBobby D. SingletonVivian Davis FiguresGreg J. ReedRoger Bedford, Jr.

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Emergency Management Act, States of emergency, declared by Governor or Legislature for less than entire state, required to designate affected counties, Sec. 31-9-8 am'd.

Summary

SB272 requires that when an Alabama state of emergency affects only part of the state, the proclamation or resolution must designate the specific counties affected.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 31-9-8 to require the counties under a partial-state emergency to be named in the proclamation or joint resolution. The emergency would apply only to those designated counties, with the rest of the state unaffected. The bill maintains a 60-day initial duration, extendable by the Governor or Legislature, and preserves the Governor’s broad emergency powers during the declared period (such as enforcing laws, managing resources, evacuation, traffic control, and coordination with health and other agencies).

Who It Affects

• Residents and businesses in the counties designated as under the state of emergency, who would be subject to any emergency restrictions and assistance only in those counties.
• The Governor, the Legislature, and state/local emergency management agencies, who must designate affected counties, declare emergencies, and exercise the listed emergency powers during the emergency.

Key Provisions

• If a state of emergency affects less than the entire state, the Governor or Legislature must designate the affected counties in the proclamation or resolution.
• The emergency applies only to the designated counties and ends 60 days after it was proclaimed unless extended by proclamation (Governor) or joint resolution (Legislature).
• The Governor can call the Legislature into a special session; the Lieutenant Governor or Speaker can request the Governor to call a special session.
• During the emergency, the Governor may: enforce emergency laws, assume control of emergency management forces, procure or transfer materials and services, and coordinate with state and local agencies.
• The Governor may seize or condemn property for emergency purposes with compensation to owners, and process for compensation is detailed.
• The Governor may evacuate people from affected areas and take measures to protect civilians, including coordinating traffic for evacuations.
• The Governor can establish agencies and hire personnel related to emergency duties without regard to the Merit System Act.
• Public health emergencies activate disaster plans and require public health communication; firearms protections remain, with limited provisions for disarming by law enforcement under specific conditions.

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

Subjects

Emergencies