HUNTSVILLE, AL — Governor Kay Ivey announced the signing of Senate Bill 119 this morning during remarks at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, adding to a list of recent public safety measures passed during the 2025 legislative session. The bill, sponsored by Senator Will Barfoot and Representative Cynthia Almond, is aimed at reducing inner-city gun violence through a combination of enhanced firearm possession restrictions, increased penalties, and tougher sanctions for probation and parole violations.
Under SB119, it is now classified as a Class C felony for an individual to possess a firearm if they have been convicted of any felony offense within the past five years, or three felony offenses at any time. The bill also criminalizes firearm possession by individuals out on bail for specific offenses, such as violent crimes, as a Class C felony.
Another key provision in the new law increases the penalty for shooting into an occupied dwelling, upgrading it from a Class B to a Class A felony, which carries harsher sentencing guidelines under Alabama law.
SB119 also expands Aniah’s Law, which governs bail eligibility for individuals charged with violent crimes. The new version includes additional offenses, such as shooting into an occupied dwelling and solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder. This portion of the bill will take effect only if the constitutional amendment proposed in Senate Bill 118 is ratified by Alabama voters. The remaining provisions in SB119 will become effective on October 1, 2025.
Governor Ivey described the legislation as part of her broader Safe Alabama initiative. During her address, she stated, “Senate Bill 119 will help get more bad guys off our streets to ensure safety in our communities.”
Also during her visit to Huntsville, Governor Ivey announced the signing of Alabama’s General Fund and Education Trust Fund (ETF) budgets, as well as the RAISE Act, a measure related to educator compensation and school performance.
“These historic investments in core functions of government and our students’ education are possible through our track-record of conservative budgeting and strong leadership,” the governor said.
The ETF includes funding for existing education reform programs such as the Literacy and Numeracy Acts, the Turnaround Schools initiative, and full funding for the CHOOSE Act, Alabama’s education savings account program. Governor Ivey emphasized the budgets are designed to support students, teachers, and parents while continuing to expand proven policies in the state’s public education system.
SB119 and the accompanying education measures mark significant developments in the state’s public safety and education agenda for 2025.
