SB 156 Alabama Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Sentencing; habitual felony offender act, resentencing procedures, established

SB 156 allows certain inmates serving life without parole under Alabama's habitual felony offender law to petition for resentencing, specifically targeting those convicted of non-violent offenses (excluding homicide, sex crimes, or offenses causing serious injury) before May 26, 2000. Eligible individuals must file a motion in the original sentencing court, with courts considering factors like prison conduct, age, and victim input before potentially reducing sentences or ordering time served. The bill requires 30 days for victim notification via the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles and mandates that all references to the Board of Pardons and Paroles be updated to distinguish the board from its executive staff. The law expires automatically on October 1, 2030.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 11, 2025 Last action Apr 9, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Mar 18, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its original introduction to its final engrossed version, adding specific details about victim notification procedures, clarifying who can file motions for sentence reduction, and updating the title page information. The core policy of allowing resentencing for certain habitual felony offenders remains the same, but the procedural requirements for victims and courts have been expanded.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on resentencing for habitual felony offenders, but the applicability of victim notification procedures has been broadened to include registered interested parties in the statewide automated system.

REQUIREMENT

Victim notification procedures were expanded to include not just named victims but also any other interested parties registered in the statewide automated victim notification system.

New requirement added for the circuit court clerk to notify the investigating law enforcement agency at least 30 days prior to any hearing, with specific information requirements.

The court's consideration factors were expanded to include more detailed information about the offender's crimes and the judge's name in notifications to victims.

New provision added requiring the circuit court clerk to notify the Victim Notification Unit of the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles when a motion is filed and when a hearing is set.

TECHNICAL

Page headers and bill numbering were updated to reflect the engrossed version status, and the synopsis section was removed in favor of a more detailed title description.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 347

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Williams Reconsider - Adopted Roll Call 346

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Lost Roll Call 329

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Barfoot motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 328

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Introduced

Barfoot 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors