HB160 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris SellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Safety belts, fine increased for person riding in front seat without seat belts, distribution, Secs. 32-5B-5, 32-5B-8 am'd.

Summary

HB 160 would raise the fine for riding in the front seat without a seat belt and change how the fines are distributed and reported.

What This Bill Does

It increases the maximum fine for a front-seat seat belt violation to up to $100. It changes how collected fines are allocated among the Department of Public Safety, the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, and the State General Fund. It also states that no court costs can be charged for this conviction and requires monthly reporting of traffic stops by minority status to the Department of Public Safety and the Attorney General. Additionally, it keeps a rule that an officer cannot search or inspect a vehicle solely because of this belt violation and sets an effective date of October 1, 2018.

Who It Affects

• Front-seat passengers who violate the belt law (they would face a higher fine, up to $100).
• Law enforcement agencies (DPS and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency) responsible for enforcing the belt rule and allocating funds from fines.
• State and local police departments that must report monthly data on traffic stops by minority status.
• The general public, particularly minority communities, through the data reporting requirements and how funds are allocated.

Key Provisions

• Fine for front-seat belt violation increased to up to $100.
• No court costs shall be assessed on a conviction under the belt violation.
• Fines distribution: 60% to the Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Division; 60% to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency; 40% to the State General Fund.
• Officers may not search or inspect a vehicle solely because of a belt violation.
• State, county, and municipal police departments must maintain and monthly report minority traffic-stop statistics to the Department of Public Safety and the Attorney General.
• Effective date: October 1, 2018.

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

Subjects

Motor Vehicles