Bill
HJR 287
Creates a permanent bipartisan committee to annually award the Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement and the Legislative Meritorious Service Award to Alabama officers.
Status: Enacted (Effective upon passage; Enrolled May 6, 2025; Enacted May 14, 2025)
Purpose and significance
- Establishes a permanent joint legislative committee to administer and award the Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement and the Legislative Meritorious Service Award.
- Creates a structured, ongoing process to recognize extraordinary courage and exceptional service by law enforcement officers.
Key provisions
1) Committee composition
- Five House members appointed by the Speaker (at least one member from the minority party).
- Five Senate members appointed by the President Pro Tempore (at least one member from the minority party).
- Terms of service for all members align with their elected terms.
- Appointing authorities must ensure membership reflects racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of Alabama.
2) Responsibilities and awards
- The committee annually awards:
- The Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement.
- The Legislative Meritorious Service Award.
- Awards recognize extraordinary courage, exceptional service, and meritorious conduct in the line of duty.
3) Leadership and governance
- The first meeting is called by the Speaker of the House to elect a chair and vice chair.
- An election for chair and vice chair occurs at the committee’s first meeting of each quadrennium (every four years).
4) Meetings and operations
- The committee may meet as needed during legislative sessions, recesses, and in the interim, but must meet at least once per year.
5) Administrative and procedural support
- Administrative support provided by the Legislative Services Agency (LSA), the Clerk of the House, and the Secretary of the Senate.
6) Compensation and transparency
- Legislative members receive standard compensation, per diem, and travel expenses for each day they attend committee meetings (per constitutional provision).
- The committee must provide notice of all meetings, identify each member, and share the final report and related documents with the Secretary of State.
7) Compliance and notification
- Each appointing authority receives a copy of the resolution upon passage.
Timeline and procedural notes
- Introduced: April 24, 2025.
- Passed through House and Senate committees in late April/early May 2025.
- Enrolled and enacted: May 2025 (Enrolled May 6; Enacted May 14).
- Delivered to Governor: May 6, 2025.
Impact
- Provides a permanent, bipartisan mechanism to recognize Alabama law enforcement officers with two honors.
- Establishes diversity and transparency standards for appointments and operations.
- Anticipates modest ongoing costs related to member compensation, travel, and administrative support, with no dedicated appropriation specified in the resolution.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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