SB301 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Bussman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Driving under the influence, ignition interlock devices, further provided, blood alcohol content (BAC) for enhancement lowered, distrib of court fees, use for bond and pretrial diversion, indigent further provided for and funded, Sec. 32-5A-191, 32-5A-191.4 am'd.

Summary

SB 301 broadens the use of ignition interlock devices for DUI cases in Alabama, creates an indigent IID fund, and tightens penalties and funding rules around ignition interlocks.

What This Bill Does

It would require ignition interlock devices for more DUI defendants, including people approved for pretrial diversion or released on bond, with license restrictions tied to IID use. A judge could impose IID as a bond condition and would stay license suspensions during IID use, with probation extended until all IID requirements are met. The bill creates the Alabama Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund to reimburse providers for indigent defendants and imposes fees that fund multiple state and local programs. Penalties for repeat offenses and higher BAC levels would rise, with escalating IID durations based on offense history; pretrial diversion participants would be required to use an IID for at least six months.

Who It Affects

• DUI defendants and offenders (including those awaiting trial, on bond, or convicted) who would be required to install and operate ignition interlock devices and face license restrictions tied to IID use.
• Indigent defendants who qualify for ignition interlock services, as the bill creates an indigent IID fund and provisions for reduced or no-cost IID installation and maintenance.
• Ignition interlock device manufacturers and providers, who must offer services to indigent defendants and are subject to oversight and funding rules.
• Municipal and state courts, the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, and the Department of Public Safety, which would administer IID requirements, enforce rules, and distribute fees to various funds.

Key Provisions

• Requires ignition interlock devices for a broad set of DUI-related defendants, including those approved for pretrial diversion or released on bond, with restricted licenses tied to IID use.
• Allows judges to impose IID as a bond condition and to stay license suspensions during IID use, extending probation until IID requirements are completed.
• Creates the Alabama Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund and mandates indigent IID services; establishes fee distributions to funds for law enforcement, judicial administration, and other programs; requires manufacturers to provide a minimum number of indigent services.
• Increases penalties for DUI offenses across repeat offenses and high BAC levels, with escalating IID durations (from at least six months for first offenses in pretrial contexts to multi-year IID requirements for later offenses).
• Adds provisions for pretrial diversion: IID for at least six months and interacts with diversion completion to affect suspensions; includes provisions for indigent status and court orders.
• The bill notes that it is exempt from local expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends an existing one, avoiding the need for a local government 2/3 vote in most cases.

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