SB75 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

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

Summary

This bill would stop Alabama from suspending a driver's license just because someone can’t pay fines or court costs for traffic offenses, if a court says the person is indigent.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 32-5A-195 to prevent the state from suspending or revoking a driver's license solely due to nonpayment of fines, penalties, fees, or court costs when the court has determined the driver is indigent. The prohibition does not apply to offenses listed in subsections (j) and (k), which can still lead to suspension or revocation regardless of indigence. The change relies on an indigence determination by the court and keeps existing suspension processes and procedures in place for other situations.

Who It Affects

• Indigent drivers who owe fines or court costs for traffic offenses and would otherwise have their licenses suspended for nonpayment (the bill protects them from such suspensions).
• Courts that determine indigence and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (SLEA) that enforces suspensions, since they must apply the new rule when deciding on license actions.

Key Provisions

• Amends 32-5A-195 to prohibit the SLEA from suspending or revoking a driver's license solely for nonpayment of a fine, penalty, fee, or court costs if the court determines the driver is indigent.
• Keeps the possibility of suspension or revocation for nonpayment inapplicable only for offenses described in subsections (j) and (k), which may still trigger license action regardless of indigence.
• Requires an indigence determination by the court as the basis for the protection against nonpayment-based suspension.
• States the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.
• Note: The bill does not remove or change other suspension rules; it specifically changes how indigence affects nonpayment-related suspensions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Drivers' Licenses