Police Jurisdiction bill pases house

A statewide bill inspired by a dispute over the expansion of the city of Lincoln passed the Alabama House of Representatives in a 67-20 vote Thursday.

The bill, by Rep. Ron Johnson, R-Sylacauga, would end automatic expansion of cities’ police jurisdiction when they annex new territory.

City police forces typically patrol areas just outside city lines, known as the police jurisdiction. Residents of the police jurisdiction aren't considered city residents and don't vote in city elections, but they are typically taxed — at a lower rate than city residents — to pay for city services.

By state law, police jurisdiction automatically expands around a city as it annexes new territory, but that process became the subject of strong debate in Talladega County this year after Lincoln expanded its police jurisdiction.

Johnson said They're extracting money from the people who live in the area, but they're not capable of providing services there.

Years ago, Lincoln annexed some parcels that weren't contiguous to the city.

When the city's population grew past 6,000 residents, a state law kicked in that allowed the city to expand its jurisdiction to three miles beyond city limits; it had been 1.5 miles. 

Johnson said that expansion swelled Lincoln's jurisdiction to more than 100 square miles, making it roughly the size of the city of Atlanta. He Said Residents of the area are being taxed, but aren't receiving services.

Under Johnson's bill, an annexation done by state law would expand a city's police jurisdiction beyond city lines only if the bill itself specifies the area to be expanded.

Supporters of the bill said police jurisdiction expansions often amount to taxation without representation.

It’s not clear whether the bill would change the way cities deal with existing police jurisdictions, or whether it would affect the dispute in Lincoln, but Johnson has, in fact, proposed two local bills, affecting only Lincoln or Talladega County, that address the same situation. Both have already passed the House and are awaiting committee votes in the Senate,.

The House vote moves Johnson's statewide bill to the Senate for consideration as well.