SB157 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bryan Taylor

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Cam Ward

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Driver's 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

SB157 would limit driver’s license suspensions for drug offenses to only trafficking offenses, removing suspension for most other drug crimes.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 13A-12-291 to delete the suspension requirement for all non-trafficking drug offenses. Only trafficking in illegal drugs would continue to trigger a driver’s license suspension. It also requires the Governor to certify the act to the U.S. Department of Transportation and notes Alabama’s opposition to federally mandated suspensions of driving privileges.

Who It Affects

• People convicted of drug offenses that are not trafficking (including juveniles adjudicated for non-trafficking drug offenses) would no longer have their driver’s licenses suspended solely for those offenses.
• People convicted of or adjudicated for trafficking in illegal drugs would continue to face driver’s license suspension as determined by law.
• The Governor and the federal Department of Transportation would be involved in certification and communications about federal requirements related to driving privileges.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-12-291 to remove most drug offenses from the list that trigger license suspension, leaving only trafficking in illegal drugs as a cause for suspension.
• Requires the Governor to certify the act to the United States Department of Transportation.
• Expresses the Legislature’s opposition to federally mandated suspension of driving privileges for drug offenses and directs certification to the U.S. DOT Secretary.
• Section 3: Section 1 becomes operative upon acceptance of the act by the U.S. Department of Transportation; Section 4: act becomes effective immediately upon passage and governor's approval (or as otherwise law).

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