Alabama Big 10 Mayors praise Governor Ivey's signing of two public safety bills into law

May 6, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - The Alabama Big 10 Mayors released a statement applauding the Alabama Legislature for passing two bills that they claim will improve public safety across Alabama. One was signed by Governor Ivey and the other has to be voted on by the people of Alabama next year.

Senate Bills 118 and 119, both sponsored by Senator Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) and carried by Representative Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa) in the House, received broad bipartisan support. Sponsors claim that the bills mark a critical advancement in our state's ability to fight crime.

"We are grateful to the Legislature and Governor Ivey for their continued commitment to the safety of our communities," said the Alabama Big 10 Mayors in a joint statement. "These changes strengthen our laws to help law enforcement and the courts better protect our residents from repeat violent offenders. Across Alabama, we have seen how Aniah's Law is keeping violent criminals off the streets, and by increasing penalties for firing into buildings, our law enforcement officials are able to better crack down on this senseless and dangerous act."

"As mayors, there is no greater priority of ours than public safety. We commend this bipartisan effort to stand with victims, support law enforcement, and make Alabama's cities safer places to live, work, and raise families," the mayors said.

The Big 10 Mayors successfully advocated for the approval of Aniah's Law in 2022. The new change to Aniah's Law clarifies and enhances the law's implementation, ensuring that the judicial system can more effectively detain individuals who pose a clear threat to public safety while they await trial.

Senate Bill 118 would expand and further strengthened Aniah's Law, a change to the Alabama constitution that allows judges to deny bail to individuals charged with certain violent crimes.

Currently, under Aniah's Law, judges are allowed to deny bond for individuals charged with particularly heinous crimes such as murder, kidnapping, rape, torture, domestic violence, human trafficking, aggravated child abuse and other crimes.

This update to the law, if approved at the ballot box for the 2026 primary election by Alabama voters, would add solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder as well as discharging a firearm or explosive into an occupied dwelling, building, vehicle, or watercraft to that list.

Senate Bill 119, introduces several significant changes to the state's firearm and criminal laws. This bill elevates the offense of discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling, building, vehicle, or watercraft from a Class B felony to a Class A felony. It also to prohibits a person charged with certain felonies from possessing a firearm during or while awaiting trial. This bill creates criminal penalties and a revocation of bond or parole for those in possession of a firearm under these circumstances.

Representing the ten largest cities in Alabama, the Big 10 Mayors work to find constructive solutions to the state's and their cities' most pressing problems. The group includes Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox.

Tuesday is Day 28 of the 2025 Alabama Regular Legislative session. The Legislature is forbidden by the Alabama Constitution from meeting for more than 30 days in any regular session.