SB15 Alabama 2015 2nd Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Second Special Session 2015

Title

Law enforcement officers, state, jurisdiction to enforce motor vehicle laws, federal highways, Secs. 32-2-5, 32-5-1, 32-5-310, 32-5A-171, 32-5A-177, 32-10-5 am'd.

Summary

SB15 would limit the Department of Public Safety's traffic enforcement to state and federal highways, reserve local authorities to enforce on local roads, and allow mutual aid on local highways only with local requests and agency approval.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends multiple code sections to assign motor vehicle enforcement to the Department of Public Safety only on state and federal highways. Local authorities would continue to enforce state traffic laws on local highways and rights-of-way. DPS may respond to calls for assistance on local public highways if a sheriff or county government requests help and the Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency approves; rules implementing these changes may be issued by the agency.

Who It Affects

• Department of Public Safety officers and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, whose enforcement jurisdiction is restricted to state and federal highways (with potential mutual-aid on local highways upon request).
• Local governments (counties and municipalities) and their law enforcement, who retain authority to enforce state traffic laws on local public highways and rights-of-way, and may request DPS assistance for incidents on local roads.

Key Provisions

• Amends sections 32-2-5, 32-5-1, 32-5-310, 32-5A-171, 32-5A-177, and 32-10-5 to specify that the Department of Public Safety enforces motor vehicle laws on state and federal highways only, and enforces traffic laws, rules, and regulations on those highways and their rights-of-way.
• Local authorities retain enforcement of state traffic laws on local public highways and rights-of-way; they cannot enforce contrary ordinances or regulations outside this framework, and local enforcement remains separate from DPS on local roads unless mutual aid is requested and approved.
• Section 2 allows DPS to respond to calls for assistance on local public highways upon the request of sheriffs or county commissions and with approval from the Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency; the Secretary can issue rules to implement these provisions.
• Sections 32-5A-171 through 32-5A-177 set and govern speed limits (e.g., urban 30 mph, unpaved roads 35 mph, most highways 55 mph, interstates 70 mph, and related allowances for exceptions and governor-approved adjustments), with enforcement by appropriate agencies on state and federal highways; these provisions may be adjusted to meet federal funding requirements.

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

Subjects

Law Enforcement Officers