SB 173 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Crimes and offenses; violation of domestic violence protection order, jurisdiction amended

SB 173 clarifies that only Alabama circuit and district courts have authority to prosecute violations of domestic violence protection orders. It directly affects defendants who breach these orders and the courts handling such cases. The bill changes jurisdiction by giving these courts "exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction," meaning no other courts can hear these cases. It also requires a $50 fine for violations to fund the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, as established in existing law. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Apr 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 2 edits · Apr 16, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized for signature, updating the document title from 'Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' and replacing the internal tracking code. The substantive legal text regarding domestic violence penalties and court jurisdiction remains identical to the previous version, with no new policy changes, funding adjustments, or date modifications.

TECHNICAL

The document header tracking code was changed from 'FKRER5D-2' to 'JP1S4NN-2', and the status title was updated from 'Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' to reflect final passage.

The legislative history section was replaced with a standard certification block, removing specific committee dates and adding signatures for the Senate President and House Speaker to confirm final approval.

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

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Gudger Motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1259

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1325

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1324

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Introduced

Judiciary Engrossed Substitute Offered (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 444

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Bell motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 443

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Introduced

Judiciary 1st Amendment Offered (Judiciary)

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Introduced

Judiciary 1st Amendment (Judiciary)

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors