HB 295 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

Military punishment; ranks of members that may discipline and be disciplined, disciplinary measures; revised and further provided for

HB 295 amends military disciplinary procedures by clarifying which officers may impose punishments and who may be disciplined. It specifies that only officers of general or flag rank can impose certain disciplinary measures, and limits the ranks of enlisted members subject to discipline to E-5 through E-9. The bill replaces specific lines in existing law to update the scope of disciplinary authority without creating new penalties. This is a technical revision to military justice code, directly affecting senior military commanders and senior enlisted personnel. The bill focuses solely on procedural wording within current disciplinary frameworks.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 18, 2025 Last action Apr 3, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Mar 4, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Alabama's military justice code to revise which ranks can impose disciplinary punishments and what punishments are authorized. The changes clarify authority levels, add new punishment options, and adjust how reductions in rank apply to different pay grades.

Scope change

The bill modifies the scope of disciplinary authority within the Alabama National Guard, expanding which officers can impose certain punishments and adding new punishment options for enlisted members.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed pay grade eligibility for rank reductions: officers can now reduce enlisted members from E-5 through E-9 (previously E-6 and below) and reduce E-4 and below to any intermediate pay grade.

REQUIREMENT

Added new punishment options including reduction to next inferior pay grade for E-6 and below, reduction to lowest/intermediate pay grade for E-4 and below, extra duties up to eight days, and restriction up to 14 days.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated appeal procedures to allow judges to refer cases to judge advocates for consideration before acting on appeals.

DEFINITION

Reorganized subsection numbering and clarified that restriction can be considered a punishment option without preventing the right to request a court-martial trial.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Mar 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety)

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 348

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 347

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Paschal 1st Amendment Offered

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Military and Veterans' Affairs)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors