SB 32 Alabama Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Crimes and offenses; further provide for the crime of murder, manslaughter, and assault in the first and second degree; provide enhanced sentencing; define machinegun

SB 32 defines "machinegun" in Alabama law as any firearm that shoots multiple rounds automatically without manual reloading, excluding certain rate-of-fire devices. It mandates a life sentence without parole for anyone aged 18 or older who causes death using a machinegun during a crime, and specifies life without parole or life imprisonment for offenders under 18. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of murder or assault involving machineguns, altering sentencing for these specific offenses. The law creates a new sentencing tier for machinegun-related homicides while maintaining existing definitions and exceptions in Alabama’s criminal code.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2024

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Dec 31, 2024 Last action Feb 27, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · Feb 13, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was updated from its introduced version to an engrossed version, incorporating substantive changes to criminal definitions and sentencing guidelines. The most significant changes include the addition of mandatory life imprisonment for murder committed with a machinegun, expanded definitions of machineguns, and amendments to abortion-related provisions that provide additional protections for physicians and clarify legal abortion procedures.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include mandatory enhanced sentences for machinegun-related deaths and injuries, with specific provisions protecting medical providers and clarifying abortion consent requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory life imprisonment without parole for murder committed with a machinegun when the defendant was 18 or older at the time of the offense.

Added mandatory life imprisonment for first and second degree assault when a machinegun is used.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of machinegun to include parts and combinations of parts that can be assembled into a machinegun.

Added specific exclusion for devices that increase a firearm's rate of fire but do not enable more than two shots without manual reloading.

Added clarification that medical care includes ordering, dispensation, or administration of prescribed medications and medical procedures.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified abortion-related provisions to add protections for licensed physicians and their employees from criminal liability for medical care or treatment errors.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Introduced

Judiciary 1st Amendment (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 99

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Elliott motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 98

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Introduced

Elliott 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors