Washington, D.C. (WDNews) — The U.S. House of Representatives has passed S. 1003, known as “Lulu’s Law,” a bipartisan bill aimed at improving public safety alerts related to shark attacks and dangerous beach conditions.
The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Katie Britt and in the House by Gary Palmer. The bill now heads to Donald Trump for consideration and signature into law.
Under the proposed law, state and local officials would be allowed to use Wireless Emergency Alerts to notify beachgoers when shark attacks occur or when dangerous water conditions are reported. The legislation would officially classify shark attacks as eligible events under the Federal Communications Commission’s emergency alert system.
The bill is named after Mountain Brook teenager Lulu Gribbin, who was seriously injured during a shark attack off the Florida Panhandle in June 2024. According to lawmakers, another shark attack involving a different victim had occurred about 90 minutes earlier several miles away.
Gribbin was one of three people bitten during a series of shark attacks along the Florida Panhandle last year. She lost her left hand and part of her right leg in the attack.
Palmer said the legislation is intended to improve safety for beach visitors and families by providing faster emergency notifications.
“Today, the House passed Lulu’s Law to help keep families and beachgoers safe,” Palmer said in a statement. “Lulu Gribbin’s courage, resilience, and determination have turned a tragic experience into a meaningful effort to protect others.”
Lawmakers said the measure would expand emergency alert capabilities for coastal incidents and give local officials additional tools when responding to dangerous shoreline conditions.
Britt previously described the legislation as an example of “Congress at its very best,” citing bipartisan cooperation and support from Alabama lawmakers and senators across the country.
