HB137 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rex ReynoldsRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: ALEA; wiretapping; interpreters authorized; extend law indefinitely
Summary: HB137 keeps Alabama's wiretap program in place indefinitely and adds rules for interpreters to assist with intercepted communications under specific circumstances.
What This Bill Does
It removes the sunset that would have ended the wiretap program in 2026, making the program permanent. It creates a new provision that allows qualified interpreters to monitor and interpret intercepted communications in certain cases, with requirements such as presence during intercepts, an oath for interpreters, and the state's ability to contract for interpretive services. It also clarifies when interpreters can provide services (before intercept in anticipation or after intercept if coded/foreign language is used and an interpreter is not immediately available). The act becomes effective June 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
Individuals or entities whose wire or electronic communications may be intercepted (or whose communications are intercepted) and who may seek damages if interceptions violate the law; they may have civil remedies under the act.
Interpreters, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, Attorney General's Office, and communications service providers, who are affected by the new authority, oath requirement, contracting options, and procedures for providing interpretive services during interceptions.

Key Provisions
Extends the Agent Billy Clardy III Act indefinitely by repealing its sunset provision (keeping the program active without a set end date).
Adds Section 20-2B-2.1 to authorize interpreters to monitor and interpret intercepted communications under defined circumstances, including presence during intercepts and procedural guidelines.
Requires a qualified interpreter to take an oath before providing interpretive services (for non-law-enforcement interpreters).
Allows the state to contract for interpretive services to support interceptions.
Repeals Section 20-2B-16 to remove the prior repeal date and keep the act in effect indefinitely.
Sets an effective date of June 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Criminal Procedure