SB279 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Trip Pittman
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Controlled substances, additional penalties for convictions of, addition drug-related crimes included, driver's license suspension required for additional convictions for drug-related convictions, Secs. 13A-12-281, 13A-12-291 am'd.
Summary: SB279 expands penalties and driver’s license suspensions for additional drug-related offenses and addresses local-funding requirements under Amendment 621.
What This Bill Does
It adds a mandatory penalty of $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for a second or subsequent offense for each offense defined in the specified drug-related sections, in addition to any fines and other penalties. It expands the set of offenses that trigger a driver’s license suspension to include more drug-related offenses. The bill notes local-funding implications under Amendment 621 but includes exceptions that allow it to become law without separate local approval.

Who It Affects
Individuals convicted of the drug-related offenses specified in the bill would face the new mandatory penalties on top of existing fines and sanctions.
Individuals convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for these offenses whose actions would trigger a driver’s license suspension under the bill would have their licenses suspended.
Local governments may see funding implications under Amendment 621, though the bill provides exceptions that may avoid requiring local approval.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 13A-12-281 to add an additional penalty of $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for a second or subsequent offense for each offense defined in the related drug-offense sections; penalties are in addition to other fines.
Amends Section 13A-12-291 to expand the list of drug-related offenses for which a driver’s license must be suspended upon conviction, adjudication, or delinquency.
Includes a constitutional note under Amendment 621 indicating the bill would require new or increased local expenditures, but it provides exceptions that allow the act to become law without local 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: Crimes and Offenses