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House removes sunset on ALEA wire‑intercept authority, adds interpreter access after early enforcement results
Summary
Lawmakers voted to remove a sunset and continue state law allowing the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)/SBI to seek court‑authorized wire intercepts in drug investigations; the substitute also authorizes use of interpreters. Sponsors cited four successful intercepts that yielded arrests and large seizures.
The House voted to remove a statutory sunset and continue state authority for court‑authorized wire intercepts conducted at the state level by ALEA/SBI in drug investigations, and approved language to permit use of foreign‑language interpreters during intercepts.
Representative Reynolds, sponsor of HB 137, briefed members on the program’s initial deployments. He said ALEA had established secure procedures, trained personnel and conducted four intercepts in 2024, two of which were extended for 30 days. Reynolds summarized enforcement outcomes reported by the agency: ten search warrants executed; 2,500 grams of fentanyl seized; 12,000 grams of cocaine; 100,000 grams of marijuana; 37 firearms and 10 vehicles seized; more than $230,000 in cash and 19 arrests tied to those interceptions.
Members debated privacy and procedural protections. Representative Clark asked whether interpreters were already permitted; Reynolds said the state had been building its capacity and the bill codifies interpreter authorization while secure protocols and judicial oversight remain in place. Representative McCampbell asked about interpreter vetting and Reynolds said interpreters would be sworn and subject to confidentiality obligations and potential testimony in court.
Supporters argued that the state‑level authority has produced measurable law‑enforcement gains and that removing the sunset would allow continued activity under judicial oversight; the House adopted the substitute and voted to pass the bill.
