SB243 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Police powers, Indian tribes, authorized for Poarch Creek, Secs. 36-21-120 to 36-21-124, inclusive, am'd.

Summary

SB243 would extend the Poarch Band of Creek Indians' police powers to allow them to hire police officers and enforce law on their reservation, similar to the Mowa Band of Choctaw Indians.

What This Bill Does

It amends sections of Alabama law to include the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in the framework for tribal police. It allows the Poarch Band Tribal Council to appoint and employ police officers who have powers similar to university police to protect the Poarch Creek Reservation. The officers’ powers are mainly on the reservation, but off-reservation pursuit or felony arrests are allowed under specific conditions, and state/local funds cannot be used to support these tribal officers.

Who It Affects

• Poarch Band of Creek Indians: gains authority to appoint police officers and exercise police powers on the Poarch Creek Reservation.
• State and local governments: cannot provide funding for these tribal police officers; funding is not drawn from state/local sources.
• Residents, employees, and visitors on the Poarch Creek Reservation: subject to enforcement by the Poarch Band's police officers and benefits from reservation safety.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 36-21-120 to 36-21-124 to include the Poarch Band of Creek Indians alongside the Mowa Band of Choctaw Indians for tribal police authority.
• Authorizes the Poarch Band Tribal Council to appoint and employ police officers to protect the Poarch Creek Reservation, with funding not provided by state/local funds.
• Police officers would have powers similar to state or university police, including bearing firearms and enforcing laws on reservation property.
• Officers can eject trespassers, arrest without a warrant for certain offenses in the reservation area, and arrest with a warrant and present the person to the proper court.
• Powers are to be exercised primarily on the reservation, with off-reservation action allowed only for appropriate pursuit or lawful felony arrests in presence or within property boundaries.
• Effective immediately following governor's approval.

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

Subjects

Police Officers