HB477 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mike Jones
Republican
Co-Sponsor: David Colston
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Motor vehicles, driving under influence, Public Safety Department, suspension period if person has 0.15 percent or more of alcohol, Sec. 32-5A-304 am'd
Summary: HB477 changes DUI-related license suspensions to align with a higher BAC threshold and a history of alcohol- or drug-related enforcement, increasing how long licenses can be suspended.
What This Bill Does
If passed, it sets suspensions to begin 45 days after notice. It introduces length categories based on BAC and past enforcement: 90 days if there are no prior alcohol- or drug-related enforcement contacts in five years; 1 year if BAC is 0.15% or higher and there are zero or one prior such contact; 3 years for two or three contacts; and 5 years for four or more contacts in the past five years. It defines what counts as enforcement contacts and limits consideration to at most one contact per DUI arrest. It also provides that if a BAC of 0.08% or more leads to a related criminal charge, the suspension under this section is imposed, but if that criminal charge is dismissed, the suspension can be rescinded.

Who It Affects
Drivers with DUI-related offenses or testing issues, whose license suspension length would depend on their BAC (0.15%+) and their history of alcohol- or drug-related enforcement in the prior five years.
The Alabama Department of Public Safety and other authorities responsible for issuing and enforcing driving suspensions, who would administer these rules.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 32-5A-304 to make suspensions effective 45 days after notice.
Imposes tiered suspension lengths: 90 days (no prior enforcement), 1 year (BAC ≥0.15% with zero or one prior contact), 3 years (two or three contacts), 5 years (four or more contacts within five years).
Defines 'alcohol or drug-related enforcement contacts' to include suspensions, refusals to submit to testing, and DUI convictions, with a limit of one contact counted per DUI arrest.
Contains a provision where, if BAC is 0.08% or more and criminal charges under 32-5A-191 exist, the suspension under this section is imposed but additional suspension under 32-5A-191 is not; if the criminal charge is dismissed, the administrative suspension can be rescinded.
Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage/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