House Bill 362 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David FaulknerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

National Guard; duties of Legal Services Office positions revised and further provide for

Summary

HB362 would restructure the Alabama National Guard’s Legal Services Office and clarify leadership and duties for JAG staff across multiple disciplines.

What This Bill Does

It creates a joint Legal Services Office for the Alabama Army and Air National Guard and makes State Staff Judge Advocates the primary legal advisers to the Adjutant General. A Deputy General Counsel would direct the office and coordinate all legal services across the Alabama National Guard and the State Military Department, including managing training and publishing manuals. Specialized Associate General Counsels for Military Justice, Contract and Fiscal Law, Administrative and Civil Law, Operational Law, and Legal Assistance would coordinate, supervise, and train staff in their areas. Paralegals and warrant officers would work under the appropriate Judge Advocates or General Counsel and perform only legal duties, with changes taking effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Alabama National Guard members (Army and Air) and the State Military Department who rely on centralized, standardized legal services and training under the revised office structure.
• Judge Advocates, General Counsel staff, Deputy General Counsel, Associate General Counsels, paralegals, and warrant officers whose roles, reporting lines, and duties are redefined and expanded.

Key Provisions

• Creates a joint Legal Services Office shared by the Alabama Army and Air National Guard and designates State Staff Judge Advocates as the primary legal advisers to the Adjutant General.
• States that the State Staff Judge Advocates provide independent legal advice to the Adjutant General and key department leaders, and coordinate with the Office of General Counsel.
• Establishes a Deputy General Counsel to direct the Legal Services Office and coordinate all legal services, training, and policy across the National Guard and State Military Department.
• Creates full-time General Counsel staff (General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Chief Paralegal, and Associate General Counsels) to support the Office.
• Creates Associate General Counsels for Military Justice, Contract and Fiscal Law, Administrative and Civil Law, Operational Law, and Legal Assistance, each responsible for coordination, supervision, training, and publishing area-specific manuals.
• Defines Supervisory Judge Advocates and the MACOM/MAJCOM/Wing structure to oversee legal services at major commands and ensure ethical, effective delivery of services.
• Defines paralegal and warrant officer roles as under the direction of the State Staff Judge Advocate or appropriate Judge Advocate, with duties limited to legal professional work and regulated by General Counsel where applicable.
• The changes become effective October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Military