HB176 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Proncey Robertson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Governor, commutation power, notice requirements provided, const. amend.

Summary

This bill would require the Governor to notify certain people before commuting or pausing a death-row sentence and would allow victims’ family members to challenge such decisions.

What This Bill Does

It proposes amending the constitution to require the Governor to take reasonable steps to notify the Attorney General and any victim family members before granting a reprieve or commutation to someone under a death sentence. It also allows a victim family member to file a civil suit within 30 days of a grant to challenge it, and if a violation is found, the court can void the commutation and stop further grants until proper notice is given. The bill also sets that the legislature regulates pardons and other clemency processes, and clarifies that pardons do not automatically remove civil or political disabilities unless stated.

Who It Affects

• Death row inmates and others under sentence of death (subject to Governor's clemency power).
• Governor of Alabama (must provide notice and may face challenges to clemency actions).
• Victims’ family members (may receive notice and have the right to challenge a commutation or reprieve).
• Attorney General (receives notice under the bill's notice requirements).
• Circuit Court of Montgomery County (venue for challenges to a grantee commutation or reprieve).

Key Provisions

• The Governor has the power to grant reprieves and commutations to persons under death sentence.
• Before granting a commutation or reprieve, the Governor must notify the Attorney General and any identified victims’ family members.
• A victim’s family member may file a civil action in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County within 30 days after the grant to challenge a commutation or reprieve, and if a violation is found, the court shall void the commutation and halt further grants until proper notice is provided.
• The legislature may regulate pardons, paroles, remission of fines and forfeitures, and courts may suspend sentences or order probation; pardons must explicitly address civil and political disabilities.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments