SB324 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Greg J. Reed
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Emergencies, broadcasters, radio, t.v., and cable, emergency response broadcasters, training and certification by Homeland Security Department, access to facilities to repair and restart broadcasting during emergencies
Summary: The bill would certify emergency response engineers among broadcasters and permit access to disaster areas to restore broadcasting and share emergency information.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes radio stations, TV stations, and cable operators to be certified as emergency response engineers. It allows these credentialed engineers to access areas affected by emergencies to repair and restart broadcasting or cable service and to provide emergency information to the public. It requires planning and training programs with state agencies and broadcasters associations, and it provides liability protections for actions taken by credentialed personnel.

Who It Affects
Broadcasters (radio, television, and cable operators) and their staff, who may seek certification as emergency response engineers and gain access to disaster areas to restore broadcasting and share emergency information.
State and local government agencies and their employees, who would be expected to permit access for credentialed engineers and other essential personnel and would receive liability protections for actions taken under the act.

Key Provisions
Authorized certification of broadcasters as emergency response engineers by the Alabama Broadcasters Association.
Definitions establishing who is a broadcaster, what constitutes an emergency, and who is an emergency response engineer.
Coordinated planning with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers, and the Alabama Broadcasters Association to credential emergency response engineers.
Training and certification requirements for emergency response engineers, including consistency with federal law, restoration/repair/resupply training, and personal safety training.
Access provisions allowing credentialed engineers temporary access to emergency areas to restore facilities and transmit essential emergency information, plus access for other essential personnel to production facilities.
Liability protection for the State, local governments, and employees regarding actions or inactions of credentialed personnel granted access under the act.
Immediate effective date upon passage and approval by the Governor.

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