House Bill 638 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Speed limits; municipal enforcement of speed limits within a municipality's police jurisdiction authorized

Summary

HB638 would let Alabama municipalities enforce speed limits in both their city limits and police jurisdiction, with road-type based speed rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill would expand municipal enforcement of speed limits to the municipality's police jurisdiction in addition to its corporate limits. It sets maximum speeds by road type (30 mph in urban districts, 35 mph on certain unpaved county roads, 45 mph on county paved roads in unincorporated areas, 55 mph on highways not interstate or not four lanes, 70 mph on interstates, and 65 mph on other four lane highways), with exceptions for higher speeds as allowed by governor or federal requirements. It treats Corridor X/I-22 portions as interstate for speed limits. It imposes decals and placards requirements for vehicles carrying explosives, hazardous wastes, or hazardous materials and caps those speeds at 55 mph unless the governor authorizes a higher limit. It also restricts interstate enforcement by smaller municipalities (populations under 19,000) and allows enforcement by municipal officers within the expanded jurisdiction, effective October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Municipalities and their police departments, which would gain authority to enforce speed limits within the police jurisdiction as well as the city limits.
• Drivers and road users in Alabama, who would be subject to new road-type specific speed limits and enforcement rules.
• Residents of smaller municipalities (fewer than 19,000 people), who would face restrictions on enforcing speed limits on interstate highways.
• State and federal funding and regulatory considerations (via the governor's power to adjust speeds to meet federal requirements).

Key Provisions

• Expands municipal enforcement of speed limits to include the police jurisdiction in addition to the corporate limits.
• Defines maximum speeds by road type: urban districts 30 mph; unpaved county roads 35 mph; county paved roads in unincorporated areas 45 mph; non-interstate highways not four lanes 55 mph; interstates 70 mph; other four-lane highways 65 mph.
• Allows higher speeds if required by federal law or for federal funding, per governor's authority and related sections 32-5A-172 and 32-5A-173.
• Treats Corridor X/I-22 portions as interstate for speed limit purposes.
• Imposes hazmat/ explosives vehicle decals and placards and sets a 55 mph speed limit for such vehicles unless higher speeds are authorized by the governor.
• Places a limit on enforcement by smaller municipalities on interstate highways (populations under 19,000).
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles & Traffic