Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday signed House Bill 98, establishing a scholarship program for dependents of law enforcement officers. She also signed Senate Bill 233, which increases penalties for people who attempt to elude law enforcement, often creating dangerous situations for officers and the public.
Ivey said public safety is paramount. During her State of the State address this year, she outlined SB233 as a priority for the 2026 Legislative Session.
“Too often when criminals attempt to flee law enforcement, they put the safety of innocent bystanders, officers and even themselves at great risk,” Ivey said. “Just last week there were at least three such incidents, including one that cost the lives of an Alabama driver and three of his passengers. To counter these often-deadly offenses, penalties for those who recklessly evade law enforcement must be strengthened. I am proud to sign this legislation into law to further protect law enforcement and the public.”
During the 2026 Legislative Session, Senator Lance Bell, R-Pell City, sponsored the eluding legislation in the Senate, and Representative Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, carried the bill in the House.
“I commend Senator Bell for his hard work and leadership in getting this bill through the Senate,” Ivey said. “I also want to thank Representative Ingram for his years of pushing this issue to the forefront. That effort led to the overwhelming support for SB233 in the House.”
The new law enhances penalties for attempting to elude a law enforcement officer by elevating the base offense from a misdemeanor to a felony when a vehicle is used.
“This legislation takes a strong stand against those who recklessly attempt to elude law enforcement, while making our roads and communities safer for every Alabamian,” Bell said. “By imposing tougher penalties—particularly for repeat offenders—we are sending a clear message that this dangerous behavior will not be tolerated. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Legislature for their support in passing this bill, and I appreciate Governor Ivey’s steadfast leadership in prioritizing public safety across our state.”
The law also toughens sentences for deliberate behavior such as eluding law enforcement with children in the vehicle, striking law enforcement officers in their vehicles, or committing the offense while on pretrial release. It also increases penalties for repeat offenders by requiring mandatory jail time.
“Public safety is our top priority, and the signing of SB233 is a major step in keeping Alabama families safe. I filed my bill early and worked closely with all stakeholders to deliver a final product that holds individuals accountable for illegally attempting to elude law enforcement while also protecting our officers,” Ingram said. “I am proud to have worked with Governor Ivey to ensure those who attempt to elude police face the serious consequences they deserve.”
Previously, attempting to elude was generally a Class A misdemeanor, with felony enhancements tied only to specific conduct. The law also lacked provisions to address aggravating circumstances that put law enforcement officers and children at risk, and it did not include baseline sentencing consequences for repeat offenders.
The tougher penalties for attempting to elude law enforcement take effect October 1, 2026.
During the 2025 Legislative Session, Ivey made bolstering public safety her top priority through her Safe Alabama package of bills, which included the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers’ Family Scholarship Act.
“Our law enforcement put it all on the line every day they go to work, and so do their families. I am proud to firmly Back the Blue and provide these long-serving law enforcement families support for their children’s education,” Ivey said.
In 2026, Ivey said she is continuing her efforts to protect the public and law enforcement personnel, which is why she and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, prioritized establishing the scholarship for dependents of law enforcement officers.
“Behind every law enforcement officer is a family who sacrifices a great deal to support them,” Ledbetter said. “The Alabama Law Enforcement Officers’ Family Scholarship Act is a well-deserved and long-overdue show of support to these blue line families, and I am grateful for Governor Ivey’s steadfast support over the last two years on this legislation. It is one thing to say your state is pro-law enforcement, but it is another to put action behind those words. Today, Alabama did exactly that.”
Ivey said she will continue to prioritize the safety of Alabama’s citizens.
