On Tuesday night, the Alabama House of Representatives gave final passage to a pair of public safety bills that Republican lawmakers have championed as central to the state’s effort to crack down on violent crime.
The two bills — SB118 and SB119, sponsored by State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) — are part of a broader state initiative aimed at reforming Alabama’s bail laws and tightening restrictions on firearm possession for violent offenders.
SB118, a proposed constitutional amendment, would expand the list of offenses for which judges may deny bail.
Under current law, only capital murder qualifies for mandatory detention. If approved by voters in the 2026 primary election, the amendment would allow judges to hold without bail individuals charged with crimes such as attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping, rape, human trafficking, aggravated child abuse, and shooting into an occupied dwelling.
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SB119, the companion bill required to implement the amendment, amends numerous sections of the Alabama Code to align with the proposed constitutional change.
The bill increases penalties for discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, making it a Class A felony, and establishes a new Class C felony for individuals who possess a firearm while released on bond for violent charges. It also modifies probation and parole laws to allow revocation or short-term confinement for firearm possession violations.
Notably, SB119 also broadens the category of individuals prohibited from possessing firearms, including those with multiple felony convictions or active protective orders related to domestic violence.
SB118, as a constitutional amendment, will now go to Alabama voters for ratification.
Supporters of the bills, including Governor Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall, have argued they are necessary to restore public confidence in the justice system and better equip law enforcement and courts to prevent repeat violent offenses.
Grace Heim is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You can follow her on X @graceeheim or email her at [email protected].
