HB30 Alabama 2012 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David Colston

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Allen Farley

Session

First Special Session 2012

Title

Motor vehicles, motorcycles, Class M motorcycle license including restricted license to operate a motor-driven cycle, issuance by Public Safety Department, knowledge test required under certain conditions, Secs. 32-5A-240, 32-12-22 am'd.

Summary

HB30 would let Alabama's Department of Corrections partner with private industry to run on-site work programs inside prisons, paying inmates wages and using their labor for rehabilitation and state cost recovery.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes the DOC to contract with private individuals or companies to create joint plants or services on DOC property or at prison facilities. Inmates can participate voluntarily and must be paid at least the prevailing private-sector wage, with earnings handled by the department (including up to 40% withheld for confinement costs and court-ordered restitution) and the rest deposited to the inmate's DOC account. All products are marketed by private partners, not the department, and participating inmates are not state employees and do not receive employee benefits; the program must comply with federal rules and not reduce existing prison education programs.

Who It Affects

• Inmates: may volunteer to participate, earn wages (not less than prevailing private-sector wages), have earnings managed by the department, and keep a portion after deductions; they are not considered state employees and do not receive benefits.
• Private industry/contractors: may partner with the DOC to operate on-site work programs, hire inmate labor for production or services, market the resulting products, and may use rental/lease arrangements; they are responsible for compliance and marketing of products.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the DOC to contract with private industry to develop on-site work programs within DOC facilities or prison facilities.
• Inmates may participate voluntarily; earnings must be at least the prevailing wage; the department handles disbursement, may withhold up to 40% for confinement costs and court-ordered restitution, and the remainder goes to the inmate's account; program complies with the Federal Prison Industries Act.
• Products or services produced under these contracts are marketed by the private party; the DOC does not market them; inmates are not state employees and do not receive employee benefits.
• Contracts may include rental or lease arrangements for facilities or land; exemptions from certain bidding laws; both DOC and contractors are exempt from specific penalties; existing prison education programs are not reduced and must continue to be funded by the Education Trust Fund; effective date is immediate upon governor's approval.

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