HB232 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Pardons and Paroles Board, members increased, diversity of membership, Sec. 15-22-20 am'd.

Summary

HB232 would expand the Board of Pardons and Paroles to five members, require diversity in its composition, and change how members are appointed and how hearings are conducted.

What This Bill Does

It increases the board size from three to five and requires the members to reflect the state's racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity. Vacancies would be filled by the Governor from a list of five nominees chosen by a nominating board made up of top state officials, with the Senate's advice and consent; if the Senate does not act, the appointment can be voided and a new list submitted. The bill also sets six-year terms, designates a chair, requires an oath, allows for incapacity determinations, and sets up two panels of three members to hear matters with panel decisions counting as Board decisions; it also creates four special members for limited duties and outlines related governance rules.

Who It Affects

• Current and prospective Board of Pardons and Paroles members (board size increases to five, terms, oath, and full-time service apply).
• Alabama residents seeking pardons, paroles, or related relief (hearings may be conducted by two panels of three, with potential implications for decisions on rights restoration, fines remission, and revocations).

Key Provisions

• Board size increased from 3 to 5 members with a diversity requirement (racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, economic).
• Vacancies filled by the Governor from five nominees chosen by a nominating board consisting of the Chief Justice, presiding judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate; Senate advice/consent required; specific timetable and fallback rules if the Senate does not act.
• Terms are six years; vacancies for unexpired terms; Governor designates a chair; members take the oath of office; incapacity procedures may lead to vacancy.
• Members must serve full-time and refrain from other paid office; compensation established by law.
• Four special members may be appointed for limited purposes to handle pardons, paroles, restoration of rights, remission of penalties, and revocations; board sits in two panels of three for hearings, with panel decisions carrying the same authority as the full board; chair serves as alternate and can re-designate panel membership to handle hearings.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Pardons and Paroles Board