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The Alabama Legislature has concluded its third week of the 2025 Legislative Session, with both chambers meeting twice and advancing several bills aimed at law enforcement, veterans, and public safety. With 22 legislative days remaining, Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, described the week as a success.
“Week three was a great success thanks to the hard work of our members,” said Speaker Ledbetter. “Two of our Safe Alabama Bills—the Law Enforcement Dependent Scholarship Act and the Juvenile Accountability and Monitoring Act—both sailed through the House on 101-0 votes. We also passed a resolution that supports additional appropriations for the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit. Legislation establishing the Alabama Veterans Resource Center and the Houston-Hunter Act cleared both chambers. The House sent a clear message that it supports our men and women in blue and the 400,000 veterans that call our state home.”
One of the Safe Alabama Bills, the Law Enforcement Dependent Scholarship Act, sponsored by Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, aims to support the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers by offering financial assistance for college tuition to their dependents. The bill, which applies to undergraduate programs at public technical schools, colleges, and universities in Alabama, passed unanimously on Tuesday.
“One thing I believe people tend to forget is that behind every badge is a family who depends on the man or woman who wears it,” said Rep. Treadaway. “As someone who served over 31 years as a police officer, I know full and well that families sacrifice just as much as those who wear the badge. The Law Enforcement Dependent Scholarship Act is a well-deserved and long overdue thank you to these spouses and children.”
The House also passed HJR30, a resolution by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, supporting additional appropriations for the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit. Operating in Montgomery since June 2024, the unit has conducted over 200 arrests, including juveniles, and seized a significant number of illegal firearms and stolen vehicles. Governor Kay Ivey’s budget proposal includes $3 million in recurring funds to support the 24-man crime suppression team.
“This unit has been incredibly effective in Alabama’s Capital City and has without a doubt led to a decrease in violent crime across the River Region,” said Rep. Ingram. “As many of Alabama’s metro areas struggle to combat crime, this unit could offer some much-needed support in partnership with other local agencies. The bottom line is that the best way to protect communities is to have a strong law enforcement presence in areas where violent crimes are occurring, and I believe making the Alabama Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit a statewide, full-time task force does just that.”
In a bipartisan move, the Legislature also passed a bill to establish the Alabama Veterans Resource Center, sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, chairman of the Military and Veteran Affairs Committee. The center is designed to assist veterans in transitioning to civilian life.
“I can speak personally to the fact that going from military to civilian life can be full of challenges – as our state’s veterans go throughout that difficult process, this center will provide invaluable support to make that process as smooth as possible,” said Rep. Oliver. “There is no goal more worthwhile than supporting those who have defended our nation in uniform. This legislation shows where our priorities are as a state, and Alabama will continue to be a top place for veterans and their families to live for years to come.”
The Houston-Hunter Act, also passed by both chambers, allows individuals to voluntarily transfer their lawfully owned firearms to law enforcement officers for safekeeping during times of personal crisis. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster, aims to prevent self-inflicted harm by allowing temporary firearm storage through law enforcement.
“Far too many Alabamians—both from our veteran population and civilian populations alike—suffer from mental illness and tragically too often do self-inflicted damage during times of mental health crisis,” said Rep. Bedsole. “This will allow individuals to, on a voluntary basis, hand over their personal firearms to law enforcement for safekeeping in the event they fear they could use it to harm themselves—or for any other reason. This is a common-sense bill that can save lives, and I’m proud it made its way through the Alabama House this week.”
The Alabama House of Representatives will reconvene for week four of the Legislative Session on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m.
