SB319 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Holtzclaw

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Priscilla DunnCam WardJ.T. Waggoner

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Motor vehicles, ignition interlock device, reduction of period of license suspension or revocation authorized, distribution of fees collected from defendants opting for installation of device, Secs. 32-5A-191, 32-5A-191.4, 32-5A-301, 32-5A-304 am'd.

Summary

SB319 updates Alabama DUI law to require ignition interlock devices for many offenders, changes license-suspension rules, and creates funding to help indigent defendants install and maintain the devices.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires ignition interlock devices on vehicles for persons convicted of DUI and allows license suspensions to be stayed while the device is installed and used. It increases penalties for multiple DUI convictions and doubles minimums in certain cases, with the IID duration rising for successive offenses. It creates the Alabama Interlock Indigent Fund to reimburse providers for indigent defendants and requires cost sharing (half costs) for indigent offenders, plus monthly fees and specific distributions to various state funds; it also imposes related fees for restricted licenses and license reissuance. The act includes rules for device installation, enforcement, and retroactive applicability in certain circumstances.

Who It Affects

• DUI offenders (adults and, in some cases, under-21 offenders) who would be required to install and operate an ignition interlock device as a condition of driving privileges and to potentially face extended suspensions or higher penalties.
• Indigent defendants who may qualify for reduced cost sharing and reimbursement for ignition interlock devices through the new Alabama Interlock Indigent Fund, with providers reimbursed and costs allocated from designated funds.

Key Provisions

• Ignition interlock devices shall be installed and monitored on the designated vehicle of DUI offenders, with the possibility to reduce or stay license suspension after IID installation and operation.
• Penalties escalate with repeat DUI offenses (second, third, and fourth or subsequent convictions) including longer suspensions and longer mandatory IID use, and a fourth or subsequent offense becomes a Class C felony with a five-year IID requirement.
• For BAC 0.15% or higher or when a child under 14 is present, minimum punishment is doubled, and IID requirements are extended accordingly.
• Indigent provisions create the Alabama Interlock Indigent Fund to reimburse approved IID providers, with costs shared by indigent defendants and funds distributed to multiple state and local programs; payments to providers occur quarterly.
• First-four-month IID-related payments by the defendant amount to $75 per month, with specified distributions to interlock funds, court administration, highway safety, and district attorney funds; defendants also pay installation and maintenance costs unless indigent.
• Fees are set for issuing restricted licenses (up to $150) and for reissuing regular licenses (up to $75), with portions allocated to various funds and programs.
• The Department of Public Safety enforces IID rules and provider oversight; the Department of Forensic Sciences approves devices, monitors providers, and maintains an approved device list.
• Retroactive applicability is allowed in certain scenarios (appeals, eligibility for stayed suspensions, or court/agency actions related to IID compliance).
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after the act is passed and approved.

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

Subjects

Motor Vehicles