Lulu’s Law advances in the U.S. House—what’s next

If you thought you’d heard the last of Lulu’s Law, think again—we’ve got a new update.

The bill that would bring real-time shark attack alerts to your phone just cleared a key U.S. House committee after unanimously passing the Senate.

Read on for what the law would do, and what happens next.

What’s happening now

Quick recap: Lulu’s Law was inspired by Mountain Brook teen Lulu Gribbin, who survived a shark attack at Fort Walton Beach last year. The story sparked a push for faster, clearer communication when a shark attack is reported in the area. 

Now, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee has advanced the bill, which means it’s headed to the full House floor for a vote. 

If the bill passes without amendments, it will then move to the president’s desk to be signed into law. 

How it protects beach-goers

If passed, the law would let authorized local, state, tribal and federal agencies send wireless emergency alerts to mobile phones when a shark attack is reported nearby. Think of it like an Amber Alert for the beach—fast, location-specific warnings to help people stay safe. 

Alabama led the way for Lulu’s Law

Alabama didn’t wait around to take action. Back in May, the state passed its own version of Lulu’s Law, setting up a shark alert system for Baldwin and Mobile county beaches through the Alabama Department of Conversation and Natural Resources. 

From Mountain Brook to Washington, Lulu’s Law is moving fast—and soon it could mean real-time alerts on your phone. Stay tuned!

For more news around Birmingham, sign up for our free newsletter.