Senate Bill 230 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Sam GivhanSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Campaign contributions; using contributions on certain security expenses to protect candidate, elected official, family members, and staff authorized

Summary

SB230 lets Alabama campaign funds be used to pay for security to protect candidates, elected officials, and their immediate family or staff, including cyber security, security devices, and security personnel.

What This Bill Does

SB230 adds a new section to authorize campaign contributions to be used to pay or reimburse the state, counties, or municipalities for security expenses to protect a candidate or elected official and their immediate family or staff. It defines security expenses to include cybersecurity costs (such as removing personal information from data brokers and online sources), nonstructural security devices (home security hardware, locks, alarms, motion detectors, cameras) and security personnel. It also says that devices permanently attached to property are exempt from liquidation provisions. The act becomes effective immediately.

Who It Affects

• Candidates and elected officials, plus their immediate family or staff, who could have campaign funds used to pay for security measures.
• State and local governments (state agencies, counties, and municipalities) that could be paid or reimbursed by campaign funds for security expenses related to protecting candidates or officials.

Key Provisions

• Adds new Section 17-5-7.3 authorizing use of campaign contributions to pay or reimburse the state or counties/municipalities for security expenses to protect candidates/elected officials and their immediate family or staff.
• Security expenses defined to include: (1) cybersecurity costs to remove personal data from data brokers and online sources; (2) costs of installing and monitoring nonstructural security devices such as home security hardware, locks, alarms, motion detectors, and cameras; (3) costs of security personnel.
• If a device or item is permanently attached to property, it is exempt from the liquidation provisions of Section 17-5-7.2.
• Effective date: immediately upon enactment.

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

Subjects

Elections, Voting, & Campaigns