AL HB362

Amends Sections 31-2B-4 through 31-2B-13 of the Alabama Code to restructure legal services reporting within the Alabama National Guard, shifting State Staff Judge Advocate duties from advising the Adjutant General broadly to advising their respective military service component commander (Army or Air National Guard)

Establishes that each State Staff Judge Advocate serves their specific service branch rather than the entire State Military Department, with legal advice provided in coordination with—rather than under direction of—the Office of General Counsel

Requires the General Counsel to work "in coordination with" the State Staff Judge Advocates rather than independently, and removes appeals supervision from the General Counsel's duties

Places paralegals and warrant officers employed within the Office of General Counsel under the direction of the General Counsel, while those outside remain under their respective State Staff Judge Advocate

Effective date: October 1, 2026; passed House February 24, 2026 and Senate March 10, 2026