HB161 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt Fridy

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Evidence, expert testimony, admissibility, revised, references to requirement that testimony be based on scientific theory, principle, method or procedure deleted, prospective operation, Sec. 12-21-160.1 added; Sec. 12-21-160 am'd.

Summary

HB161 would apply a Daubert-based standard to the admissibility of expert testimony and create a new, prospectively applicable framework for civil and certain criminal cases in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

The bill updates how expert testimony is judged by requiring the testimony to be based on sufficient facts or data, produced by reliable principles and methods, and applied reliably to the case. It amends existing law (Section 12-21-160) and adds a new section (12-21-160.1) to implement a prospective, Daubert-based standard for expert testimony based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge. It provides immediate effectiveness and specifies that the prospective rules apply to civil actions commenced after January 1, 2017 (and certain non-juvenile felony criminal actions), while limiting applicability to certain case types and preserving existing medical liability provisions.

Who It Affects

• Civil plaintiffs and defendants in Alabama who rely on expert testimony, as the admissibility of their experts will be judged under a Daubert-based standard with specific criteria.
• Expert witnesses and their legal teams who must base their opinions on sufficient facts/data, reliable principles/methods, and reliable application to the facts, in cases subject to the new prospective rules.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Amends Section 12-21-160 to require that expert testimony based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge meet the Daubert-based criteria (sufficient facts/data, reliable principles/methods, and reliable application to the case) and removes a prior wording reference to scientific theory/principle/method/procedure in determining admissibility.
• Provision 2: Adds Section 12-21-160.1 establishing a parallel Daubert-based standard for expert testimony with the same criteria, applying to civil actions commenced on or after January 1, 2017 and to certain non-juvenile felony criminal actions, with immediate effect and superseding conflicting rules where applicable.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Procedure