HB 274 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Department of Corrections; mitigation of unmanned aircraft systems authorized, exemptions on prohibition further provided for

HB 274 authorizes Alabama's Department of Corrections to take reasonable actions against unauthorized drones near correctional facilities, including jamming (within federal limits), hacking, physical capture, or other measures to disrupt drone operations. It directly affects prison security operations by granting the Department specific tools to address drone threats, such as potential contraband smuggling. The bill requires all actions to comply with federal law and specifies these measures are limited to neutralizing drone threats. The law will take effect on June 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Signed Mar 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 2 edits · Mar 5, 2026

MINOR

The bill transitioned from an Engrossed version to the final Enrolled version ready for the Governor's signature. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a new subsection (b) that explicitly preserves existing legal immunities for the Department of Corrections and its staff, ensuring their actions under this bill cannot be used against them in court. Minor formatting and page number adjustments were also made to finalize the document.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the Department of Corrections' authority to jam, hack, or capture drones remains unchanged, but the legal protections for those taking those actions were explicitly expanded.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new provision stating that the new drone enforcement powers do not eliminate any existing legal immunity or defenses available to the Department of Corrections or its officers.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title from 'Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' and adjusted page headers and line numbers to reflect the final version.

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, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 638

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 295

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 294

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Introduced

Public Safety and Homeland Security Engrossed Substitute Offered (Public Safety and Homeland Security)

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Public Safety and Homeland Security)

lower

Jan 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Public Safety and Homeland Security)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors