Alabama Legislature

VISITORS

The Alabama Legislature welcomes visits by the public during or between sessions. 

 

Visitor Information Downloads

Alabama Legislature Visitors Rules and Policies

Alabama Legislature Visitors Rally Policy

Request to Assemble Form

  Washington Avenue Entrance Rules and Policies

 PreClearance Access Application Forms

           

Alabama State House Visitor Rules & Policies

The Alabama Legislature welcomes visitors! The State House is generally open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and whenever the State Legislature is in legislative session. The building is usually closed on federal and state holidays. Through the adoption of these visitor rules and policies, the Legislature seeks to provide a safe, informative, and educational environment for all while visiting the Alabama State House. These rules and policies are not all inclusive  and visitors at all times are subject to the circumstantial rules, guidelines, or restrictions imposed by authorized legislative personnel. 

The following rules and policies shall apply to all visitors to the Alabama State House:

ENTRY POLICIES

  • The State House visitor entrance is located at the front doors of the building facing Union Street. An alternative entrance is located on the south side of the building facing Washington Avenue. This alternative entrance is for handicapped or physically disabled visitors, or for special events or occasions.
  • Upon entry, all visitors must sign in and be processed through a security screening checkpoint. Visitors must pass through a metal detector and thermal imaging machine prior to admission to the facility, and all hand-carried bags, briefcases, or other items will be run through an x-ray and/or thermal imaging machine.
  • Weapons of any kind are not permitted in the State House. Items considered to be weapons include open and obvious weapons such as firearms and knives of all kinds, but also includes electronic defense weapons, facsimile weapons, scissors, tasers, pepper spray, fireworks, firecrackers, sparklers, and any other items that can be used as a weapon. Exceptions to this policy are made for APOST Certified active duty law enforcement officers in the commission of official duties or on official duty.  This exception does not apply to lobbying activities.
  • Visitors attempting to bring firearms or other weapons into the State House will be asked to leave the State House grounds to store firearms or weapons in a safe place off-property.
  • Weapons not declared upon entry and passage through a security screening checkpoint are subject to confiscation or impoundment.
  • Signs, placards, posters, poster boards, balloons, musical instruments, noise-making devices, laser-pointers, art supplies, and other items that can be used as open and obvious distracting or attention-getting devices are prohibited within the State House, and must be checked with security upon entry to the building.
  • Animals or pets, other than authorized or certified service animals, are not permitted in the State House.
  • Refusal to submit to or failure to pass a security screening will result in denial of entry into the State House.

GENERAL POLICIES/RESTRICTIONS: 

  • Visitors can obtain information about the State House, legislators, and directions from the State House Visitor/Information Desk located in the main lobby.
  • Food and beverages are only permitted in the State House under circumstances that make it clear that such items are for immediate consumption while in appropriate areas of the building.
  • Food and beverages are not allowed into the House and Senate chambers and/or galleries.
  • Visitors shall move about the State House quietly and in an orderly manner.
  • Visitors are not permitted to loiter in the main lobby.
  • Physically disabled or handicapped persons are responsible for bringing their own equipment and/or personnel to assist in moving about the State House).
  • Violation of any State House rules and policies may result in arrest and /or removal from the State House.

TOURS: 

  • Tour group leaders must check in with State House Security.
  • Tour groups are not permitted to bring bags and/or backpacks into the State House.
  • Tour groups must use the stairs, which are located in the main lobby, to access the floors they are touring, unless otherwise directed by State House Security. Tour group visitors who are physically handicapped or hindered from using the stairs are allowed to use the main lobby elevators

REVISED: 1/29/2021 

Alabama State House  Event / Rally Rules & Policies

The following rules and policies shall apply to all rallies or events on the front steps of the Alabama State House, and certain requirements must be met before permission to hold a public rally or event will be granted. 

PERMISSION:

  • Any person, group, or association desiring to use the Front Steps of the State House for a public rally or event must obtain approval from authorized legislative personnel.
  • Public events or rallies on State House grounds are only permitted on the front steps of the State House.
  • If permission is granted, failure to follow or abide by any of these rules may result in additional restrictions or revocation of any applicable permissions granted, up to and including cancellation of the event. Further, approval to host an event or rally may be withdrawn or cancelled at any time in the sole  discretion of authorized legislative personnel for any reason deemed to be in the best interests of the Legislature in the sole discretion of applicable legislative personnel.
    The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and State Fire Marshall will be notified of all approved public rallies/events. 

APPLICATION:

  • The State House Visitor/Information Desk is responsible for the processing of all public rally/event requests and the scheduling of all approved requests. All public rally/event requests must be submitted to the State House 
    Visitor/Information Desk.
  • A completed Request to Assemble Form must accompany all public rally/event requests. Request forms can be found on the Alabama Legislature’s website, or by calling the State House Visitor/Information Desk at (334) 261-0739.
  • All public rally/event requests, including the submission of the Request to Assemble Form, must be made no less than 5 days prior to the rally/event. 
  • Public rally/event requests are subject to scheduling availability.
  • For approved rallies/events, the Legislature will provide a podium and an electrical power cord upon request, subject to the availability of each. However, the Legislature does not provide a speaker, microphone, or any other sound or other types of equipment for public rallies or events on the State House Front Steps.
  • Any rally/event organizer requesting to assemble 25 or more participants for a rally or other event must meet in advance with authorized legislative security personnel and provide a written or electronic copy of the rally/event agenda, organizer contact information, and, if applicable, verification of the group or association the organizer represents. A detailed description of the purpose of the rally/event must also be provided.

GENERAL GUIDELINES/RESTRICTIONS: 

  • Public rallies/events cannot be held before 9:00 a.m. or later than 4:30 p.m.
  • All public rallies/events are limited to one (1) hour per day.
  • At the conclusion of an approved rally/event, no other person or group may assemble for a period of one (1) hour.
  • School bands and/or individuals or groups with musical instrument or noisemaking devices will not be permitted to perform or engage in noisemaking activity unless approval by authorized legislative personnel.
  • Public rallies/events, including the participants and any staging areas, cannot block the front entrance of the Alabama State House nor prohibit or interfere with any other visitor’s ability to safely enter or exit the building.
  • The physical limits and the equipment location of any staging areas will be subject to the approval of authorized legislative personnel. Signs, banners, flyers, flags, equipment, and other rally/event-related items cannot be affixed to walls, fixtures, parking meters, doors, plants, or other surfaces without prior approval by authorized legislative personnel. Any equipment used at a public rally/event is subject to inspection by authorized legislative security personnel, the State Fire Marshall, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officers.
  • The Legislature is not responsible for any loss, damage, or harm caused or incurred by the public rally/event, and the individual, group, or association holding the rally/event will be financially liable for any damages caused by the rally/event to the Alabama State House and adjoining property.
  • Rally/Event Organizers are responsible for cleanup following an event, and failure may result in a maintenance fee to be determined at the time of application.
  • Access into the Alabama State House for participants of rallies or events of 25 or more persons will be controlled by State House security personnel in order to ensure the safety of legislators, staff, and all visitors. Such access control will be in conjunction with the State Fire Marshall and in compliance with the Alabama Fire Code.