Alabama House committee delays bill that would expand definition of rioting The Montgomery Advertiser 3/9/2021 Brian Lyman, Montgomery Advertiser It was a lengthy discussion, heavy with the crimes of the past and the struggles of the present. And after about 90 minutes of debate, a legislative committee decided to keep it going. The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday delayed a vote on legislation from Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, that would expand the definition of rioting and punish cities that cut police budgets. Opponents said the definition of rioting in the legislation does not require an act to take place, and could make law enforcement the arbiters of what is and isn’t constitutionally-protected speech.