SB171 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Immigration, legal status and/or proof of citizenship, verification of eligibility to enter into business transactions with state or political subdivision, Uniformed Services Privilege and Identification card authorized, Act 2011-535, 2011 Reg. Sess. am'd.; Sec. 31-13-29 am'd.

Summary

SB171 would allow the United States Uniformed Services Privilege and Identification Card to be used as proof of eligibility to enter into state or local government business transactions, in addition to citizenship or lawful presence documents.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the rules for when someone can engage in a business transaction with the state or a political subdivision by adding the Uniformed Services Identification Card as an acceptable proof of eligibility. It still requires proof of citizenship or lawful presence, using existing DHS verification options or the new card as an alternative. Violations would be a Class C felony, and enforcement must follow federal verification processes without independent status determinations, with race not to be a factor in enforcement (except as allowed by law). The act becomes effective after a set waiting period following passage.

Who It Affects

• Individuals and entities entering into business transactions with the state or a political subdivision (e.g., applicants for licenses, contractors) who may now use the Uniformed Services Identification Card as proof of eligibility.
• Active-duty service members, veterans, and other Uniformed Services personnel who hold a Uniformed Services Privilege and Identification Card as a recognized form of proof.
• Aliens not lawfully present in the United States, who continue to be restricted from entering into business transactions unless they can demonstrate lawful presence through the specified methods.

Key Provisions

• Adds the United States Uniformed Services Privilege and Identification Card to the list of documents that can demonstrate citizenship or lawful presence for eligibility to enter into a business transaction with the state or a political subdivision.
• Allows the Uniformed Services ID Card to be used in lieu of other documents or DHS verification (SAVE program or 8 U.S.C. 1373(c)) to prove eligibility.
• Keeps existing definitions of 'business transaction' and the requirement that aliens be lawfully present to engage in such transactions (with the new card as an alternative path for those with Uniformed Services status).
• Violations of this section are punishable as a Class C felony.
• Agencies may not consider race in enforcement of this section, except as permitted by the U.S. and Alabama constitutions.
• Enforcement relies on DHS verification; state or local officials may not independently determine an alien’s immigration status.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections