SB377 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Trip Pittman
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Homicide, crime of homicide by vehicle or vessel, created, penalties, Marshall James Walton Highway Safety Act
Summary: SB377 creates a new crime, homicide by vehicle or vessel, making deaths caused by certain traffic or boating violations punishable as a Class C felony.
What This Bill Does
It makes it a crime to cause the death of another person while knowingly violating traffic or boating laws, if that violation is the proximate cause of the death. A conviction would be a Class C felony. The bill also specifies that it is exempt from certain local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime.

Who It Affects
Vehicle or vessel operators who knowingly violate traffic or boating laws and whose violation results in someone’s death could be charged with homicide by vehicle or vessel.
Local governments and taxpayers, because the bill is exempt from local-funding approval requirements that could apply under Amendment 621.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Marshall James Walton Highway Safety Act and the crime of homicide by vehicle or vessel.
Defines the crime: a person is guilty if they cause the death of another person while knowingly violating a state or municipal traffic/boating law, and the violation is the proximate cause of the death.
Penalty: a conviction is a Class C felony.
Exempts the bill from local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime.
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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