HB167 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Reed IngramRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Legislature, House and Senate police, authority and responsibilities, Sec. 29-4-4 am'd.

Summary

HB 167 would let the Legislature hire its own police to secure the State House and certain Capitol areas, give them broad authority (including weapon-carry rights), and require state agencies to assist in security.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes the House and Senate to employ dedicated police officers supervised by the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate. These officers would cover security for the entire State House, surrounding grounds, parking areas, curtilages, and specified legislative spaces in the State Capitol, with powers of peace officers and law enforcement officers statewide when authorized. It allows part-time and contract security staff to perform duties at locations where the officers operate, and it permits carrying firearms for designated officers and other law enforcement personnel within the State House. It also requires all state departments and agencies to assist in security as requested and creates penalties for disorderly conduct or disruption of legislative proceedings, including arrest authority on property under their jurisdiction. The bill is effective immediately and notes that it is exempt from local expenditure approval under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends a crime.

Who It Affects

• Members and staff of the House and Senate, who would be overseen by the Clerk and Secretary and gain expanded security roles and authority.
• State departments, agencies, and bureaus, which would be asked to assist in securing the State House and related areas.
• Part-time security employees and contract security personnel, who could perform security duties at locations where House and Senate officers operate.
• The general public and visitors, who would be subject to enhanced security measures and enforcement on State House property.

Key Provisions

• Authorize the House and Senate to employ police officers supervised by the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate.
• Expand security responsibility to the entire State House, surrounding grounds, parking lots, curtilages, and certain legislative areas of the State Capitol.
• Provide that POST-certified House and Senate officers have the powers of peace officers and may exercise them statewide in designated areas and at legislative meetings/events.
• Allow part-time security staff and contract security personnel to perform security duties at locations where these officers operate, when authorized.
• Permit carrying firearms and other deadly weapons by House/Senate officers, State Capitol police, state troopers, and others when authorized by a House or Senate officer.
• Require all state departments, agencies, and bureaus to assist in security as requested by legislative security leaders.
• Create contempt and criminal penalties for disorderly conduct or disruption of legislative proceedings and authorize arrest for offenses on jurisdictional property.
• Declare immediate effectiveness and note local funding expenditure considerations under Amendment 621.

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

Subjects

Legislature