Senate Bill 120 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Law enforcement; vehicular pursuits, creating a standard for pursuit policies

Summary

SB120 would require Alabama law enforcement agencies to adopt standardized vehicular pursuit policies and limit pursuits to cases involving certain violent offenses.

What This Bill Does

It creates a written, standardized policy requirement for state, county, and municipal agencies when conducting emergency responses and vehicle pursuits. Agencies may develop their own policy or adopt a model so long as it aligns with the new rules, and policies must address cross‑jurisdiction pursuits. Pursuits would be allowed only when there is probable cause that the person being pursued has committed or is committing one of a specified list of serious offenses, such as murder, kidnapping, rape, human trafficking, terrorism, arson, robbery, or other offenses that pose an immediate threat. Agencies that do not adopt a compliant policy could lose state funding or state‑administered federal funding.

Who It Affects

• State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies — must adopt written pursuit policies, follow the new standards, and may face funding penalties if they do not.
• Members of the public and individuals subject to pursuits — could see stricter limits on when pursuits occur, focusing on serious violent crimes and cross‑jurisdiction safety.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Tristan Hollis Memorial Act name.
• Requires each agency to adopt written vehicular pursuit policies consistent with the act; policies must address cross‑jurisdiction pursuits; agencies may use their own or adopt a model.
• Noncompliance may trigger withholding of state funds or state‑administered federal funds.
• Prohibits engagement in vehicular pursuits unless: Section 32-5A-7 requirements are met and probable cause exists to believe the pursued person committed or is committing listed offenses (e.g., murder, first‑degree burglary, kidnapping, human trafficking, first‑degree rape, first‑degree sodomy, sexual torture, first‑degree domestic violence, first‑degree arson, first‑degree robbery, terrorism, aggravated child abuse, and other offenses creating an immediate threat).
• 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

Motor Vehicles & Traffic