HB481 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Motor vehicles, driving under the influence, penalties to include mandatory use of ignition interlock device under certain conditions, Forensic Sciences Department to approve devices, Public Safety Department to issue restricted driver's license, fee, provisions for indigent defendants, Sec. 32-5A-191.4 added; Sec. 32-5A-191 am'd.

Summary

HB481 would require DUI offenders to install and use ignition interlock devices on their vehicles, expand penalties for multiple offenses, and create funding and certification systems to support interlocks.

What This Bill Does

It would require ignition interlock devices to be installed and operated on any vehicle driven by a DUI offender for increasing periods based on conviction count, and make IID installation a bail condition after a second or subsequent violation. It creates a framework for the Department of Public Safety to issue restricted licenses and charge related fees, and for the Department of Forensic Sciences to certify and maintain a list of approved devices. It specifies enhanced penalties for first through fourth+ convictions, including license suspensions, mandatory IID use, and possible imprisonment, and establishes funding and indigent-provision mechanisms to support IID installation and related costs.

Who It Affects

• DUI offenders in Alabama who would be required to install and operate ignition interlock devices on the vehicle they drive, with the duration depending on their number of convictions.
• Indigent defendants and other individuals who may need financial help to obtain and use ignition interlock devices, with procedures to determine indigency and funding to cover part of the costs.

Key Provisions

• Requires ignition interlock devices to be installed and operated on vehicles driven by DUI offenders for increasing periods based on conviction count.
• Imposes as a bail condition that a defendant on a second or subsequent violation must have an ignition interlock device installed.
• Department of Forensic Sciences must certify ignition interlock devices and maintain a list of approved devices; Department of Public Safety to issue restricted licenses and set related fees for issuance and reinstatement.
• Indemnifies the state from liability related to ignition interlock device installation.
• Adds and revises penalties for DUI offenses across multiple conviction levels (first, second, third, fourth and beyond) including mandatory sentences and license/vehicle restrictions.
• Creates the Alabama Interlock Indigent Fund and provisions for indigent defendants to receive assistance with installation and maintenance costs; outlines fund administration and reimbursement rules for providers.
• Addresses local government expenditure considerations under Amendment 621, noting the bill’s expenditures are covered by specified exceptions and do not require local 2/3 vote approval.
• Operative date is 12 months after the act’s effective date; agencies may adopt rules and expend funds beforehand to implement the act.

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

Subjects

Motor Vehicles