SB181 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Clay Scofield
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Police animals, trained or handled by Class One Railroad Officer or special agent, included in protection laws, Sec. 13A-11-260 am'd.
Summary: SB181 expands police animal protection to include canines trained or handled by Class One Railroad Officers or special agents.
What This Bill Does
It extends existing laws that forbid harassing, interfering with, injuring, or killing police and search-and-rescue animals to cover animals trained or handled by Class One Railroad Officers or special agents. It amends Section 13A-11-260 to explicitly protect these animals. The bill notes potential local funding implications but is exempt from those requirements and would take effect immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects
Class One Railroad Officers or special agents who train or oversee police/K-9 units, whose dogs would receive legal protection under the police animal laws.
Local governments and taxpayers in Alabama, since the bill discusses local-funding implications but is exempt from those requirements and becomes effective immediately upon signing.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 13A-11-260 to include a trained police animal handled by a Class One Railroad Officer or special agent within the protection of the police animal laws.
Clarifies that the bill defines a new crime or amends an existing crime, which provides an exemption from local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 (Section 111.05).
Provides that the act becomes effective immediately following passage and the governor's signature.

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