SB289 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bryan Taylor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Drivers' licenses, suspension based on drug convictions, certain drug offenses deleted from law, certification of act by Governor to U. S. Department of Transportation, Sec. 13A-12-291 am'd.

Summary

SB289 would limit driver’s license suspensions for drug offenses to only trafficking offenses, removing automatic suspensions for most other drug offenses, and would require the Governor to certify the act to the federal Department of Transportation.

What This Bill Does

It amends Alabama law to remove most drug offenses from the list that automatically suspends a driver's license after conviction or delinquency findings. Only trafficking in illegal drugs (and a few listed related offenses) would continue to trigger a license suspension; other drug offenses would no longer force a suspension. The bill also directs the Governor to certify the act to the U.S. Department of Transportation, reflecting opposition to federal requirements, and the act would become operative only after DOT accepts it.

Who It Affects

• Individuals convicted or adjudicated for drug offenses other than trafficking would no longer have an automatic driver's license suspension.
• Individuals convicted of drug trafficking offenses would still have a driver's license suspension under the new law.

Key Provisions

• Amend Section 13A-12-291 to delete most drug offenses from the automatic driver's license suspension requirement; only trafficking in illegal drugs would require suspension.
• Specify which offenses would still trigger suspension (e.g., trafficking, criminal distribution/possession of controlled substances, marijuana possession, selling to minors, DUI with controlled substances, and related offenses).
• The Legislature opposes federally mandated suspension rules and directs the Governor to certify a copy of the act to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
• The act becomes operative only if and when the U.S. Department of Transportation accepts it.

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

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses