SJR25 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Study Commission on Pre-Trial Services and Alternative Courts, created

Summary

SJR25 creates a Study Commission on Pre-Trial Services and Alternative Courts to review access, costs, and effectiveness of pre-trial diversion and alternative court programs in Alabama and to propose uniform standards.

What This Bill Does

It creates a Study Commission to examine how people enter pre-trial diversion or alternative courts and to identify ways to make these services more uniform and accessible. It will consider entrance costs, indigent options, program effectiveness, and standardization. The commission has a defined membership and must meet as needed, report findings to the Senate President Pro Tempore and Speaker by the start of the 2021 legislative session, and then be dissolved. The initial meeting must occur by September 1, 2020.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents who may participate in pre-trial diversion or alternative court programs, with potential improvements to access and affordability.
• State and local legal and government entities involved in pre-trial services (courts, prosecutors, bar associations, and county officials) that participate in appointments and implement recommendations.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Study Commission on Pre-Trial Services and Alternative Courts.
• Defines the commission's purpose to study entrance into pre-trial diversion or alternative courts and methods to make these services uniform and accessible.
• Specifies membership including chair, two House members, two Senate members, two circuit court judges (one via Circuit Court Judges Association and one via the Alabama Supreme Court), a district attorney, the Executive Director of the Alabama Office of Prosecution Services, a practicing attorney, two legal research organization representatives, and one representative from the Association of County Commissions of Alabama.
• Requires coordinating authorities to ensure the commission reflects racial, gender, geographical, urban/rural, and economic diversity.
• Allows meetings as needed; members serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority; vacancies filled in the same manner as original appointments.
• Provides compensation/reimbursement rules: legislative members receive per diem and travel under constitutional allowances; other members may be reimbursed per their appointing authority's policies.
• Sets a quorum as a majority of members for business.
• Requires the initial meeting by September 1, 2020 and appointment notifications by the first day of the third month after the Governor's signature.
• Requires the commission to report findings and recommendations to the Senate President Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House by the first day of the 2021 legislative session and then be dissolved.

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

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative