SB248 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Tammy IronsRodger SmithermanJ.T. WaggonerBobby D. SingletonCam WardDel MarshVivian Davis FiguresRoger Bedford, Jr.

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Pardons and Paroles Board, members increased, diversity of membership, Sec. 15-22-20 am'd.

Summary

SB248 would expand the Board of Pardons and Paroles from 3 to 5 members and revise the nomination and appointment process to emphasize diversity.

What This Bill Does

Increases board size to five members. Reforms vacancy appointments so the Governor selects from five nominees chosen by a nominating panel composed of the Chief Justice, presiding judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate, with a defined timeline for action. Requires nominees to reflect the state's racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity. Retains full-term appointments and oath requirements, and maintains a mechanism for impeachment and removal. Keeps a provision for four special members to assist with hearings, which may operate in two panels of three members for certain pardons and paroles matters.

Who It Affects

• Potential nominees for the Pardons and Paroles Board, who will be screened and selected by the nominating panel and subject to Senate confirmation.
• Alabama residents seeking pardons, paroles, restorations of rights, or related relief, as the expanded and more diverse board could influence hearing outcomes and deliberations.

Key Provisions

• Board size increased from three to five members.
• Vacancy and appointment process reformed: a five-nominee panel (Chief Justice, presiding judge, Lt. Governor, Speaker, President Pro Tempore) selects nominees; Governor appoints from the list within 10 days; appointments are effective until Senate confirms or rejects.
• Diversity requirement: appointments must reflect racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state.
• Quorum and panel structure: two to three members constitute a quorum; special members may assist hearings and, along with regular members, may sit in panels of three with equivalent authority to the full board.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and the Governor's approval.

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

Subjects

Pardons and Paroles Board