MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama teen Lulu Gribbin, who lost her left hand and right leg in a shark attack last year on a Florida beach, received a standing ovation on the House floor Thursday after its passage of Lulu’s Law, which would establish a new shark alert system for beachgoers.
“Lulu is from my community and served on my acolyte team at church; when I heard what happened to her last summer, I felt that I had a responsibility to pass this legislation,” said Rep. Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, the sponsor of the bill.
“…Lulu and her family are an inspiration to thousands, and I’m so thankful that my fellow members prioritized passing this important bill. As the session draws to an end, I’m committed to working as hard as I possibly can to ensure Lulu’s Law makes it to Governor Ivey’s desk.”
The bill now moves to the Senate.
Under the bill, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources would operate a shark alert system in conjunction with local and state agencies, and would be authorized to send geographic-based alerts to phones in close proximity to confirmed attacks, credible threats or other criteria as outlined by the agency.
The bill saw special floor privileges be granted to U.S. Sen Katie Britt, who is carrying her own version of Lulu’s Law that would be implemented on the federal level.
“None of our efforts to protect future beachgoers would be possible without Lulu’s faith, courage, and strength… her testimony is an inspiration, and she has truly been a catalyst for change,” Britt said, standing across from Gribbin.
“I’m grateful for the Alabama House of Representatives passing this important legislation, and I will keep fighting in the U.S. Senate to get Lulu’s Law signed into federal law. This commonsense legislation would keep our families and children safe, and there is nothing more important than protecting the people we serve.”
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, who represents Alabama’s 6th Congressional District, is carrying a companion bill to Lulu’s Law in Congress’ lower chamber.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, shared on the House floor that the Florida Legislature was interested in following suit with Alabama in adopting similar legislation. He also, holding his phone up to his microphone, called Florida House Rep. and Speaker-elect Sam Garrison to give him the opportunity to thank Gribben while she stood in the House chamber.
Later in a statement, Ledbetter called Gribbem “without a doubt, one of our most extraordinary Alabamians,” and said the legislation she inspired would “save lives.”
News of the bill’s passage traveled quickly, reaching Gov. Kay Ivey, who in a statement, urged the Legislature to get the legislation to her desk quickly to see it signed into law.
“Thank you to Rep. David Faulkner and the Alabama House for giving passage to Lulu’s Law,” Ivey said. “HB437 will establish a shark alert system for Baldwin and Mobile counties. Let’s be Lulu strong and get this bill to my desk so I can sign it into law!”