HB538 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Coat of Arms; revised

Summary

HB538 would revise Alabama's official coat of arms to include a new design featuring symbols from France, Spain, Great Britain, the Confederacy, and the United States, with a Latin motto and a ship crest, effective October 1, 2025.

What This Bill Does

If passed, it would replace the current state coat of arms with a described design that includes a shield carrying the flags of France, Spain, Great Britain, and the Confederacy, plus the United States shield; the shield would be supported by two eagles. It would add a crest showing a fully rigged ship and a Latin motto, with the word Alabama appearing beneath the motto. The bill sets the official heraldic description in Sections 1-2-1 and 1-2-2 of the Alabama Code and specifies an effective date of October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Alabama state government and agencies that use the state coat of arms would adopt and display the revised design.
• The general public and entities in Alabama (e.g., schools, government buildings, official documents) would see the updated coat of arms depicted in official materials and displays.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 1-2-1 and 1-2-2, Code of Alabama 1975, to redefine the official coat of arms of Alabama with the new design.
• Describes the shield with flags of Spain, France, Great Britain, and the Confederacy, the United States shield, eagle supporters, a ship crest, a Latin motto 'Audemus jura nostra defendere', and the word 'Alabama' beneath the motto; includes the historical and symbolic elements in the heraldic description.

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

Subjects

State & State Officers