Enhanced Penalties for Eluding Police
Summary
Alabama SB233 was signed into law on April 2, 2026, enhancing penalties for eluding or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support in both chambers (Senate 34-0, House 85-12). Sponsored by Senator Lance Bell, the legislation amends existing criminal statutes to increase consequences for fleeing from police.
What changed
Alabama enacted Senate Bill 233, which modifies penalties for individuals who elude or attempt to elude law enforcement officers. The bill went through multiple amendments in the Senate Judiciary Committee before passing both chambers with near-unanimous support. Key amendments (Bell Amendment 6YBTMZ3-1 and Givhan Amendment W17XSEE-1) were adopted before final passage.
Law enforcement agencies and criminal justice practitioners in Alabama should note the enhanced penalty framework. Defense attorneys should review the specific aggravating factors that trigger increased penalties under the amended statute. The legislation may also affect vehicle seizure procedures in pursuit cases. No immediate compliance action is required as this is an enacted statute that will take effect according to standard legislative implementation timelines.
What to do next
- Review updated eluding penalties with law enforcement and prosecutorial staff
- Update policies regarding pursuit and vehicle seizure procedures
- Brief criminal defense teams on new penalty enhancements
Penalties
Enhanced penalties for eluding police; specific fine and imprisonment ranges to be determined by the amended statute
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Alabama / SB233 Signed by Governor SB233 Senate Bill Signed by Governor 2026-04-02
Crimes and offenses; penalties for eluding or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, penalties further provided
Bill Details
State Alabama
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Lance Bell (Sen - R)
Action History
2026-04-02 H Signature Requested 2026-04-02 S Delivered to Governor 2026-04-02 S Enrolled 2026-04-02 S Ready to Enroll 2026-04-02 H Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1180 2026-04-02 H Third Reading in Second House 2026-03-05 H Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar 2026-03-04 H Reported Out of Committee Second House 2026-02-24 H Pending House Public Safety and Homeland Security 2026-02-24 H Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security 2026-02-24 S Engrossed 2026-02-24 S Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 548 2026-02-24 S Bell motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 547 6YBTMZ3-1 2026-02-24 S Bell 1st Amendment Offered 6YBTMZ3-1 2026-02-24 S Givhan motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 546 W17XSEE-1 2026-02-24 S Givhan 1st Amendment Offered W17XSEE-1 2026-02-24 S Bell motion to Table - Adopted Voice Vote EJKZVC9-1 2026-02-24 S Judiciary 1st Amendment Offered EJKZVC9-1 2026-02-24 S Third Reading in House of Origin 2026-02-12 S Carried Over 2026-02-03 S Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar 2026-02-03 S Reported Out of Committee House of Origin 2026-02-03 S Judiciary 1st Amendment EJKZVC9-1 2026-01-29 S Pending Senate Judiciary 2026-01-29 S Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary
Votes
2026-02-24 SBIR: Passed by House of Origin Yea: 32 Nay: 0 2026-02-24 Third Reading in House of Origin Yea: 32 Nay: 0 2026-02-24 Givhan motion to Adopt - Roll Call 546 W17XSEE-1 Yea: 34 Nay: 0 2026-02-24 Bell motion to Adopt - Roll Call 547 6YBTMZ3-1 Yea: 34 Nay: 0 2026-02-24 Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Roll Call 548 Yea: 34 Nay: 0 2026-04-02 HBIR: Passed by Second House Yea: 85 Nay: 12 2026-04-02 Third Reading in Second House Yea: 85 Nay: 12 2026-04-02 Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Roll Call 1180 Yea: 80 Nay: 15
Committee Referrals
2026-01-29 S Judiciary 2026-02-24 H Public Safety and Homeland Security
Amendments
2026-02-03 Senate Judiciary Judiciary 1st Amendment 2026-02-24 Senate Bell motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 547 2026-02-24 Senate Givhan motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 546
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-29 Introduced 2026-02-24 Engrossed 2026-04-02 Enrolled
Subjects
Crimes & Offenses Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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