Criminal Justice

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 535: Expungement; certain pardoned, vacated, or overturned convictions authorized to be expunged; hearing procedures, further provided

This bill expands expungement eligibility in Alabama by allowing individuals with pardoned, vacated, or overturned convictions to petition for record sealing. It also clarifies hearing procedures for expungement petitions and adds specific circumstances under which misdemeanor charges can be expunged, including successful completion of drug court, mental health court, or other diversion programs. The legislation maintains restrictions on expunging violent offenses, sex offenses, and crimes involving moral turpitude while permitting expungement for certain non-violent misdemeanors after a three-year waiting period. Additionally, the bill specifies that expunged records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies for investigation purposes and to certain entities like utilities and child protection services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands expungement eligibility for pardoned/vacated convictions and adds diversion program completions, promoting rehabilitation and reducing barriers to reentry.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 336: Department of Human Resources, child-care facilities, exceptions to licensing requirements, limited; child abuse investigations, procedures and authority revised; cause of action for violations

This bill modifies Alabama's child-care licensing rules by removing exemptions for facilities that operate on a for-profit basis or provide 24-hour care, requiring these entities to obtain licenses regardless of their previous status. It expands the Department of Human Resources' authority to create regulations specifically governing video surveillance and data retention in child-care settings. Additionally, the bill grants law enforcement agencies the power to enter child-care facilities without notice during child abuse investigations and allows private individuals to file lawsuits against facilities that violate child-care laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens child abuse investigation procedures and grants law enforcement authority to enter facilities, enhancing protective oversight and accountability in child welfare contexts.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill expands regulatory authority over video surveillance and data retention in child-care settings, enhancing data privacy and cybersecurity protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tags Children Licensing

Track

signed · Alabama · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 611: Winston County, lodging tax authorized, fire protection fee imposed, collection and distribution provided, referendum provided

This bill would allow Winston County to collect an eight percent lodging tax on overnight stays at hotels, motels, inns, and short-term rentals, with the tax paid by guests and collected by lodging providers. The collected funds would be distributed to road and bridge improvements, the sheriff's office for law enforcement, and the county general fund for tourism development and debt repayment on the judicial building and jail. Additionally, the bill imposes a five dollar per night fire protection fee on transient accommodations, with the proceeds distributed equally among volunteer fire departments in the county. Both the lodging tax and fire protection fee would only take effect if approved by voters in a referendum held during the next state or local election.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes lodging tax to fund road improvements, law enforcement, tourism development, and debt repayment, directly advancing fiscal management and public service funding.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates funds to sheriff's office for law enforcement and judicial building/jail debt repayment, strengthening criminal justice infrastructure75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates lodging tax revenue specifically for road and bridge improvements, directly funding transportation infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Corrections Law Enforcement Bridges Roads & Highways

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 581: Child support; to require an individual convicted of driving under the influence to pay child support for the child of a victim under certain circumstances

This bill requires individuals convicted of driving under the influence to pay child support if their offense causes the death of a child's parent or guardian. The support obligation applies until the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever comes later, and begins accruing from the date of the parent's death. Courts can calculate payments using existing child support guidelines or determine a reasonable amount based on the child's needs, the surviving parent's resources, and the standard of living the child would have had. The law includes provisions for income withholding to enforce payments and allows a one-year grace period for incarcerated offenders to begin paying after release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens victim protection within criminal justice by ensuring financial support for children of DUI victims, enhancing accountability for offenders.75% confidence

Track

in committee · Alabama · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 285: Crimes and offenses; unlawful possession of marijuana; crime revised based on amount of ounces possessed; criminal penalties revised

SB 285 amends Alabama's marijuana possession laws by redefining offenses based on the amount possessed. It creates a new "second-degree" offense for possessing less than one ounce (previously covered personal use only), reducing this to a fine-only violation (down from a Class A misdemeanor). For one ounce or more, it establishes a "first-degree" offense with tiered penalties: fines for first/second offenses within five years, and a felony for third or subsequent offenses. The bill also adds an expungement process for eligible cases, allowing records to be sealed if the person has no recent felony, misdemeanor, or violation convictions (excluding minor traffic offenses). This bill is pending committee review and would take effect October 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces minor marijuana possession (less than 1 oz) from Class A misdemeanor to fine-only violation, aligning with reform by decreasing criminalization and recidivism risk for low-level offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 461: Marion Military Institute; program to grant Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission certification to graduates established

HB 461 creates a new program at Marion Military Institute (MMI) that allows students to earn an associate's degree and complete the required basic training to become Alabama law enforcement officers. Graduates of this program receive provisional certification from the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (APOST) upon graduation, which becomes full certification if they are hired by an Alabama law enforcement agency within six months. The bill requires APOST to recognize MMI as an official training academy and exempts students from needing full-time law enforcement employment while enrolled. This directly affects MMI students pursuing law enforcement careers by streamlining their certification path without requiring additional training after graduation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates certification pathway for law enforcement officers, strengthening training standards within criminal justice system's law enforcement component.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Alabama · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 290: Elections; voting rights restoration process revised; Alabama Voting Rights Act Commission established to prevent discrimination in voting; duties and membership provided; Secretary of State required to establish database on election administration

SB 290 revises Alabama's voting rights restoration process by automatically restoring voting rights for most individuals with felony convictions (excluding murder, rape, or other serious offenses) upon completion of their sentence, eliminating the need for a separate application. It removes barriers to absentee voting, adds an advance voting period before elections with specified hours and dates, and establishes the Alabama Voting Rights Commission to review election actions that could discriminate against protected voter groups. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to maintain a statewide election database and publicize election-related information. These changes directly affect formerly incarcerated voters, election administrators, and protected voter classes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically restores voting rights for most felons post-sentence, removing barriers to reintegration - key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

Track

signed · Alabama · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 367: Randolph County; booking fee, established

HB 367 establishes a $30 booking fee for defendants convicted or who plead guilty in Randolph County circuit or district court cases. This fee is collected alongside other court costs and cannot be waived unless all other case-related fees are waived. The revenue from this fee must be sent monthly to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Fund for use in local law enforcement. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes mandatory $30 booking fee to fund Randolph County law enforcement, increasing dedicated revenue for public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes $30 booking fee funding Randolph County Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund, directly supporting local law enforcement resources per bill's revenue allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

in committee · Alabama · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 306: Class 1 municipalities; vacant property registration authorized

SB 306 authorizes Alabama's Class 1 municipalities (largest cities) to require property owners to register vacant residential or commercial buildings. Owners must register within 30 days of vacancy or ownership change, providing owner details and property information, and pay an initial registration fee plus annual supplemental fees. The law aims to address issues like blight, crime, and reduced property values by creating a city-wide database, enforcing maintenance standards, and compensating municipalities for costs linked to vacant properties. It excludes federal, state, and public property from the requirement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly aims to address crime through vacant property registration to combat blight and crime, supporting criminal justice by prevention-focused policy.95% confidence

Track

signed · Alabama · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 386: Elmore County; pistol permit fee, revised

HB 386 adds a $20 fee for pistol permits issued by Elmore County, effective October 1, 2026. The fee is split: $1 goes to the county general fund, and $19 is deposited into a new Sheriffs' Law Enforcement Fund. This fund must be used exclusively for law enforcement purposes by the sheriff's office, with no impact on existing sheriff funding sources. The bill directly affects individuals applying for pistol permits in Elmore County.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates Sheriffs' Law Enforcement Fund using $19 of pistol permit fees, explicitly for law enforcement purposes by sheriff's office, directly funding law enforcement operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement