Draft legislation for the 2026 session would create a new crime of public corruption in Alabama. The proposed law would apply to elected officials and public employees who embezzle or steal funds or misuse confidential information, Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, told Alabama Daily News. It could be a misdemeanor or felony offense, depending on the amount of funds wrongfully taken. “We want to be able to help prosecutors by tightening the law to get money back and punish the bad actors,” Orr said. His proposed bill would also require the former public servant, upon conviction of a felony related to their job, to forfeit his or her contributions to the state retirement system. That money would be used as restitution to the harmed office or entity. Any funds left over would be returned to

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