Lulu's Law: proposed shark alert system in Alabama piques interest of Florida lawmakers
FLORIDA (WMBB) – On June 7, 2024, there were three separate shark attacks on South Walton County beaches over the course of 90 minutes.
Alabama teenager Lulu Gribbin is one of the survivors.
Gribbin was swimming in Rosemary Beach when she lost her leg and her left hand in the attack.
On Thursday, lawmakers in her home state took action to help keep others safe.
Representative David Faulkner presented his bill that would implement a shark attack alert system. It's nicknamed 'Lulu's Law.'
'The morning after, I was extubated, and the first words I said were, I made it. The outcome did not matter. What mattered was that I made it, and that life would be different. I chose to fight. I chose to do it for the people who didn't make it and for the people who never got the chance. This bill allows us to fight for the safety of our environment,' Gribbin said.
Two Alabama teens, one woman recovering after Walton County shark attack
The system would be implemented along Alabama's Gulf Coast.
'When there is an unprovoked shark attack in close proximity to a shoreline or coastline that the professionals, the emergency management professionals, will have the ability to use an amber alert system. They can geofence it within a certain area, and they can limit it to where it goes to and they will be in charge with both local officials, emergency management professionals,' Faulkner said.
The bill passed the House unanimously on Thursday.
After the vote, the Alabama speaker of the House got an unexpected message.
'Lulu, I just want you to know, I just got a call from what is going to be the speaker of the house for Florida. And Sam is a graduate of Sanford here in Alabama. And they're going to try to pass this bill in Florida. And we will be sending him a copy of this,' House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said.
Lulu's Law now heads to Alabama's Senate for approval.
If it becomes law, the shark alert system would be operational by Oct. 1.
News 13 will continue to follow the progress of both the Alabama and the potential Florida legislation.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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