HB 37 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Crimes and offenses; penalties for eluding or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, penalties further provided

HB 37 would change Alabama's penalties for drivers who flee or attempt to elude law enforcement. If passed, courts must sentence convicted offenders to a minimum of 60 days in jail (replacing the prior requirement for license suspension only), and must also suspend their driver's license for six months to two years. The bill also requires that anyone arrested for this offense be held in custody for at least 48 hours without bond or release. This law directly affects drivers convicted of eluding police, increasing both the mandatory jail time and pretrial detention period. The changes apply to all cases where a driver intentionally flees an officer's attempt to stop them.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Aug 14, 2025 Last action Mar 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Judiciary 1st Substitute → Engrossed · 4 edits · Feb 3, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a Judiciary substitute version to the final Engrossed version, incorporating specific amendments to the penalties for reckless driving and repeat offenses. The most significant change is the increase in the time window for counting prior convictions from five years to ten years, which makes it easier for repeat offenders to be sentenced to longer jail terms. Additionally, the definition of a serious offense now explicitly includes striking a vehicle occupied by a law enforcement officer, and the effective date for the law was updated to October 1, 2026.

Scope change

The scope of enforcement was broadened by extending the look-back period for prior convictions from five years to ten years, allowing authorities to classify more repeat offenders as high-risk.

REQUIREMENT

The time period for counting prior convictions to trigger enhanced penalties was increased from five years to ten years.

ENFORCEMENT

The definition of a Class B felony now explicitly includes striking or attempting to strike a vehicle occupied by a law enforcement officer.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the act was updated to October 1, 2026.

TECHNICAL

The document was updated from a substitute version offered by Senator Bell to the final engrossed version passed by the House.

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

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 260

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 259

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Introduced

Judiciary 1st Substitute Offered (Judiciary)

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors