SB280 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: J.T. WaggonerSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Municipalities, motor vehicles, parking enforcement, authorized, procedures, adoption of municipal ordinances, civil fines, municipal court jurisdiction, appeals
Summary: SB280 would let municipalities create parking enforcement ordinances with civil fines, establish hearing and appeal processes, and use immobilization or impounding to collect unpaid tickets.
What This Bill Does
Gives municipalities the authority to adopt parking enforcement ordinances and issue civil parking violations with fines and costs. Sets civil fines up to 100 for most violations, with a minimum of 100 for handicap violations, and allows municipal costs up to 100 in contested cases; allows late fees up to 25 and requires payment timelines after hearings. Creates a process for administrative hearings in which the municipality must prove liability by a preponderance of the evidence; allows appeals to the circuit court for trial de novo without a jury; explains that failure to pay or contest is an admission of liability. Authorizes immobilization or impoundment of vehicles to collect unpaid tickets, including warning notices after three or more unpaid tickets, and outlines procedures and fees for removal and disposition; clarifies rental vehicles are not subject to immobilization or impoundment and requires notification to rental companies.

Who It Affects
Vehicle owners and registered owners in municipalities, who would be presumptively liable for parking violations, may contest liability through hearings, face civil fines and costs, and risk immobilization or impoundment for unpaid tickets.
Municipalities, their courts, and motor vehicle rental companies, which gain new enforcement tools and procedures; rental companies must be notified and provide renter information, and immobilization/impoundment does not apply to vehicles owned by rental companies.

Key Provisions
Authorized municipalities to adopt ordinances providing for parking enforcement and civil violations with fines and costs.
Civil fines may not exceed 100 for most violations (handicap violations have a minimum of 100); municipal costs in contested cases capped at 100; late fees up to 25; nonpayment cannot lead to arrest or incarceration.
Parking tickets must include details of the violation, date/time/location, amount due, payment deadline, and that payment may be made to avoid an administrative hearing.
Municipal courts hear civil violations; appeals go to the county circuit court for trial de novo without a jury; standard of proof is preponderance of the evidence; discovery is not allowed in the circuit court on appeal.
Owner liability is presumptive; affirmative defenses include stolen vehicle or plate or transfer of ownership prior to the violation.
Administrative hearings are required; the municipality bears the burden of proving liability; notices and evidence rules govern admissibility; failure to pay or contest is an admission of liability and debt to the municipality.
Immobilization and impoundment may be used to collect fines; a warning is mailed after three unpaid tickets; removal fees up to 65 may be charged; a vehicle owner has a 21-day window to release the vehicle after immobilization or impoundment with payment or hold-harmless agreements; if not released, the vehicle may be sold as abandoned.
Rental vehicles are exempt from immobilization and impoundment; the municipality must notify the rental company and obtain the renter's information within 30 days.
If a person pays the civil fine, they may sue the actual driver or operator for damages, with a written demand and a 60-day window for repayment; the suit must be filed within two years after payment.
The act becomes effective immediately upon approval and is severable, meaning if part is invalid, the rest remains in effect.

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