HB8 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Driving under the influence, ignition interlock provisions, further provided for, required for persons approved for pretrial diversion, ignition interlock fee for municipal court cases distributed to municipality, fee for indigents lowered, Sec. 32-5A-191, 32-5A-191.4 am'd.

Summary

HB 8 would expand ignition interlock requirements for DUI offenders (including pretrial diversion) and create new indigent interlock funding and administration mechanisms.

What This Bill Does

The bill would require ignition interlock devices for anyone approved for a pretrial diversion program for DUI, and would extend interlock requirements to certain offenses after incarceration. It would delete the rule that indigent defendants must pay for interlock services and instead create the Alabama Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund to reimburse providers and set indigency rules, including a minimum obligation for manufacturers to serve a portion of indigent defendants. It would also modify fees and how fines and court-ordered costs are distributed, mandate certain treatment referrals, and establish enforcement and eligibility rules for restricted licenses.

Who It Affects

• DUI offenders and pretrial diversion participants (face new or extended ignition interlock requirements and related penalties).
• Interlock providers, manufacturers, municipalities, and state agencies (DPS/ALEA/DFS) (face new funding, oversight, and fee/distribution requirements).

Key Provisions

• Ignition interlock required for persons approved for pretrial diversion for DUI for a specified period.
• Third-offense offenders may be authorized or required to obtain an ignition interlock device after completing incarceration.
• Indigent individuals may receive interlock services at little or no cost; creation of the Alabama Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund to reimburse providers and set indigency guidelines.
• Manufacturers must provide interlock services to indigents under certain conditions and meet a minimum 5% indigent installation requirement; penalties apply for noncompliance and funds are administered by ALEA and allocated to several state and local funds.
• Fees and fines related to interlock use are redistributed to various funds (state and municipal) and licensing fees may be imposed for restricted licenses; proof of interlock installation is required for license reinstatement.
• Violations or tampering with interlock devices extend the required period of interlock use; enhanced penalties apply for repeat offenses and high blood alcohol content.
• The bill includes a provision about local expenditures under Amendment 621 of the Alabama Constitution, but it states the bill falls within exceptions that avoid requiring a 2/3 vote for local funds.
• Effective date is 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