SB42 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Drivers license, suspension, prohibited for failure to pay fines, fees, or court costs, Sec. 32-5A-195 am'd.

Summary

SB42 would stop the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency from suspending a driver's license just for not paying a traffic fine or for missing a court appearance related to a traffic violation.

What This Bill Does

It amends the driver’s license suspension rules to prohibit suspending a license solely because someone didn’t pay a fine, penalty, fee, or court cost, or failed to appear for traffic charges. This change applies to most traffic violations. However, suspensions could still occur for nonpayment if the offense is one of the specific serious offenses listed in subsections (j) or (k), or as allowed by existing law for those cases. The bill preserves existing due-process rights and other grounds for suspension, such as nonpayment-based actions tied to offenses described in (j) or (k) and other established grounds.

Who It Affects

• Drivers in Alabama (both residents and nonresidents) who would otherwise have their licenses suspended solely for nonpayment of traffic fines, penalties, fees, or court costs or for failing to appear in court.
• Courts and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALSA) personnel who process license suspensions, as they must not suspend solely for nonpayment and must rely on other lawful grounds for suspension.

Key Provisions

• The bill amends Section 32-5A-195 to prohibit suspending or revoking a driver's license solely for failure to pay a traffic-related fine, penalty, fee, or court cost, or for failure to appear, for most traffic violations.
• Nonpayment-based suspensions are allowed only for offenses described in subsections (j) and (k); for other violations, nonpayment cannot be the sole basis for suspension or revocation.
• The bill preserves existing suspension procedures, maximum suspension durations, surrender requirements, hearing rights, and related processes for suspensions based on other grounds.

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

Subjects

Drivers' Licenses