Hearing
Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety Hearing
Finance and Taxation at 13:30:00
House Bill 274 Alabama 2026 Session
Updated Feb 5, 2026
Summary
- Primary Sponsor
Matt SimpsonRepresentativeRepublican- Session
- 2026 Regular Session
- Title
- Department of Corrections; mitigation of unmanned aircraft systems authorized, exemptions on prohibition further provided for
- Summary
HB274 authorizes the Department of Corrections to take reasonable measures to mitigate unmanned aircraft systems operating near correctional facilities in violation of the existing prohibition.
What This Bill DoesIt adds a new section (13A-7-94.1) giving the Department of Corrections authority to respond to drones violating the prohibition near prisons. Allowed actions include jamming (where permitted by federal law and FCC rules), hacking, physical capture, or other reasonable measures to neutralize or disrupt the drone. The bill also states these actions do not remove any other immunities or defenses for DOC or its staff, and it becomes effective June 1, 2026.
Who It Affects- Department of Corrections and its staff, who gain authority to take mitigation actions against unlawful drones near facilities
- Drone operators and the general public near Alabama correctional facilities, who face new enforcement measures if drones violate the proximity prohibition
Key ProvisionsAI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.- Adds Section 13A-7-94.1 authorizing DOC to take action against unmanned aircraft systems near correctional facilities
- Permissible actions include jamming (consistent with federal law and FCC regulations), hacking, physical capture, and other reasonable mitigation measures
- No change to existing immunities or defenses for DOC personnel; actions are subject to other applicable laws
- Effective date: June 1, 2026
- Subjects
- Incarceration
Bill Actions
S
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
S
Reported Out of Committee Second House
S
Pending Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety
S
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety
H
Engrossed
H
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 295
H
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 294 XD5WW77-1
H
Public Safety and Homeland Security Engrossed Substitute Offered XD5WW77-1
H
Third Reading in House of Origin
H
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
H
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin from House Public Safety and Homeland Security XD5WW77-1
H
Pending House Public Safety and Homeland Security
H
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Calendar
Hearing
House Public Safety and Homeland Security Hearing
Room 206 at 09:00:00
Hearing
House Public Safety and Homeland Security Hearing
Room 206 at 09:30:00
Bill Text
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Votes
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Roll Call 295
Yes
103
Absent
1
Motion to Adopt - Roll Call 294 XD5WW77-1
Yes
100
Abstained
3
Absent
1
Third Reading in House of Origin
Yes
95
Abstained
5
Absent
4
HBIR: Passed by House of Origin
Yes
95
Abstained
5
Absent
4
Documents
Bill Text (Engrossed)
House Bill 274 Alabama 2026 Session - Engrossed
Bill Text (Introduced)
House Bill 274 Alabama 2026 Session - Introduced
Amendment
House Public Safety and Homeland Security Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note - Introduced
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note - Reported by First Chamber Committee
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note - Passed First Chamber
Source: Alabama Legislature