Section 36-21-1 (Amended by Act 2026-327) Payment of Fees and Costs of Defense of State Law Enforcement Officers in Certain Cases.

AMENDED BY ACT 2026-327, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2026. SEE ACT FOR REVISED LANGUAGE. Any law enforcement officer of the State of Alabama who is sued or prosecuted for any act committed or done within the line and scope of his duties and authority will be reimbursed by the state for legal counsel fees paid, the fees of witnesses paid by him and costs of court he paid out in defending the civil action or prosecution; provided, that the total amount of such reimbursable expenses shall not exceed $2,000.00 and provided the committee established by this section approves such claim. The committee shall consist of two members of the House of Representatives named by the Speaker, two members of the Senate named by the President of the Senate and the Attorney General of Alabama. The members of the committee shall serve during their tenure in their respective offices without compensation. The acts of any three members shall constitute action by the committee. The committee shall elect a chairman from among its number and shall meet on the call of the chairman. As used in this section the term “law enforcement officer” means any person employed in the classified civil service of the state whose duties involve police work.