Alabama House Committee advances bill to increase penalties for attempting to elude law enforcement

March 28, 2026 – MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee voted to advance legislation that would significantly increase the penalties for attempting to elude law enforcement.

Senate Bill 233 (SB233) is sponsored by State Senator Lane Bell (R-Pell City). It is being carried in the House of Representatives by Representative Reed Ingram (R-Montgomery) who sponsored the same legislation in the House.

"This is the same bill that we passed out of the House," Rep. Ingram explained to the committee.

Ingram said that the Senate bill did reduce some of the penalties for a first offense from a felony to a class A misdemeanor "to address concerns from the other side of the aisle."

Rep. Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville) asked, "Tell me about this part where the officer can shoot the person who is attempting to elude."

Ingram asked, "What?"

Jackson replied "I was just messing with you."

The whole committee laughed at the joke.

The Committee voted to give HB233 a favorable report.

The full House of Representatives can now consider SB233. Since Ingram's stricter version has already passed that body, it has a strong likelihood of passage if it is brought to the floor.

The legislation's purpose is to reduce the number of high-speed car chases. Crashes during chases are a danger to the public, the officers, and even to the persons fleeing from the police pursuit.

Montgomery Police Corporal David M. Hathcock – age 48 - died recently from injuries sustained in a high-speed crash. He passed away on February 22, 2026, after battling complications from a vehicle accident that occurred on November 9, 2025, near Taylor and Vaughn Roads in Montgomery.

Under current Alabama law, fleeing from law enforcement can be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, Class C felony, or Class B felony depending on the circumstances. SB233 restructures these penalties and introduces new aggravating factors that elevate the offense.

SB233 would raise the base offense to a Class D felony - Intentionally fleeing from a law enforcement officer, either on foot or in a vehicle, after being signaled to stop.

It would be a Class C felony If a child under 14 is present in the vehicle or the offender is on bail, probation, parole, or in a community corrections/work release program. It also jumps to a Class C felony if the offender has a prior conviction for eluding. It increases to a Class B felony if the offender strikes or attempts to strike a law enforcement officer or their vehicle, the eluding results in serious injury or death, the offender exceeds the speed limit by more than 20 mph, or the offender has two or more prior convictions for eluding.

SB233 introduces mandatory jail time for repeat eluding convictions – a minimum of 90 days confinement on the second conviction and a minimum of 180 days confinement on the third. These penalties apply within a 10-year window and are designed to deter repeat offenses. The bill also mandates driver's license suspension for those convicted of eluding. Suspension period ranges from six months to two years, depending on the severity and number of offenses.

SB233 is in position to be considered by the House.

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