SB37 Alabama 2016 1st Special Session Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2016

Title

Law enforcement officers, unlawful to pull or draw a firearm or other deadly weapon upon, criminal penalties, Secs. 13A-6-21, 13A-6-23 am'd.

Summary

SB37 would raise penalties for assaults and threats against law enforcement and other public safety workers, create an annual trooper trainee class with a salary boost for arresting officers, and clarify local funding implications under the constitution.

What This Bill Does

It increases the penalty for second-degree assault against listed public safety workers to Class B felony. It changes menacing by threatening a law enforcement officer with a weapon from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony. It requires the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to annually hire a trooper trainee class and gives arresting officers a four-step, 10% salary increase funded in 2017 from lottery or BP Oil Spill Settlement funds.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement officers, detention/correctional officers, emergency medical personnel, utility workers, firefighters, teachers, and health care workers who would receive tougher penalties if unlawfully assaulted or threatened while performing duties.
• Arresting officers employed by the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, who would receive a four-step, 10% salary increase and operate within a revised pay scale; the agency would also run an annual trooper trainee class.

Key Provisions

• Amendment to 13A-6-21: second-degree assault against specified public safety and related workers becomes a Class B felony (instead of Class C) under criteria that include intent to prevent a lawful duty and causing injury.
• Amendment to 13A-6-23: threatening a law enforcement officer with a pistol, firearm, or other deadly weapon becomes a Class C felony (instead of a Class B misdemeanor/material change).
• Require the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to annually hire a class of officers trained as state troopers.
• Provide a four-step, 10 percent salary increase for all arresting officers employed by the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, starting with the first payday after the act’s effective date.
• Adjust the Director of the State Personnel Department pay classifications and rates to reflect the salary increases and ensure applicability to current and future arresting officers.
• Clarify funding: the salary increases in 2017 are to be funded from lottery proceeds or BP Oil Spill Settlement funds, with certification by the Finance Director that sufficient funds exist.

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

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses