SB262 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom ButlerSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Will BarfootGarlan GudgerAndrew JonesSteve LivingstonArthur OrrDan RobertsClay ScofieldLarry Stutts

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Armed forces, Alabama State Defense Force (ASDF), provide pay for members, authorization for Governor to activate, further provided, commissioning of officers and specify qualifications, provided, Secs. 31-2-37, 31-2-46, 31-2-69, 31-2-70 am'd.

Summary

The bill would pay Alabama State Defense Force members, let the Governor activate and commission ASDF personnel for law enforcement, disaster response, and riot control, and allow certain state and local agencies to request activation under specified conditions.

What This Bill Does

It creates active service pay for ASDF members, with pay rules depending on how long they serve. The Governor would be able to activate the ASDF to execute laws, help suppress riots, or provide disaster assistance. It allows the Governor to commission ASDF officers and sets qualification rules, including age limits and recall provisions, with oversight by the Adjutant General and, for certain ranks, the State Senate. It also lets sheriffs, local law enforcement agencies, and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency request activation of ASDF personnel under defined circumstances. It includes special commissions for doctors, nurses, engineers, and FCC-licensed professionals into designated ASDF corps.

Who It Affects

• ASDF members and prospective members who would receive active service pay and could be called up to serve by the Governor; their pay, commissions, age limits, and potential recall are defined.
• Local and state agencies (sheriffs, local law enforcement, and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency) and certain professionals who could be commissioned into ASDF or request activation to assist with disasters, civil disturbances, or other emergencies.

Key Provisions

• ASDF pay: if activated for less than 15 days, pay is half of National Guard pay; for more than 15 days, pay equals National Guard pay; rations and related expenses mirror those of the National Guard.
• Activation authority: the Governor can activate the ASDF to execute the law, suppress riots or insurrections, or assist in disasters, alongside other state forces; activation can be requested by sheriffs, local agencies, and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency under specified conditions.
• Commissioning and qualifications: all ASDF officers are commissioned by the Governor and serve under the Adjutant General; promotions and appointments require Governor approval; certain ranks have specific eligibility (e.g., Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel requirements; general officers require Senate approval); age limits cap service at 72; retired officers may be recalled.
• Specialized corps: doctors and nurses can be commissioned into the Medical Corps, engineers into the Corps of Engineers, and FCC-licensed personnel into the Signal Corps.
• Activation requests and process: sheriffs, local law enforcement, and EMA may request activation for disasters or civil disturbances; the act outlines how these requests fit into the state’s defense and disaster response framework.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Armed Forces