SB158 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

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

SB158 shifts Alabama’s rules for expert testimony to a Daubert-style reliability standard and creates a new framework for when it applies to future cases.

What This Bill Does

It changes how expert testimony is evaluated by removing certain language tied to specific theories or methods and applying a Daubert-style standard for scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge. It adds a new section, 12-21-160.1, with similar admissibility criteria and clarifies the prospective application. It applies to civil actions filed after January 1, 2017, and to certain criminal cases (non-juvenile felonies) where arrest occurred after January 1, 2017, while keeping existing medical liability acts intact. The act becomes effective immediately after the governor’s signature.

Who It Affects

• Civil plaintiffs and defendants in state court; the admissibility of expert testimony in civil cases filed after January 1, 2017 will follow the new Daubert-style criteria.
• Criminal defendants in non-juvenile felony proceedings where arrest occurred after January 1, 2017; the new rules apply to those cases under the added section.

Key Provisions

• Amends §12-21-160 to apply a Daubert-style reliability standard to expert testimony based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge and to clarify admissibility criteria.
• Adds §12-21-160.1 establishing a Daubert-style admissibility test for expert testimony in civil actions commenced on/after January 1, 2017 (and corresponding criminal provisions for certain arrests after January 1, 2017).
• Specifies that the new provisions supersede conflicting Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, or Evidence, and that the act becomes effective immediately upon passage.
• Includes transitional applicability for cases commenced before/after the specified dates as described in the amendments.

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