HB129 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris PringleRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Drivers license, provide for the elimination of driver license suspensions in certain circumstances, Secs. 28-3A-25, 30-3-170, 30-3-179 am'd; Secs. 13A-12-290, 13A-12-291, 13A-12-292, 13A-12-293, 13A-12-294, 16-28-40, 16-28-41, 16-28-42, 16-28-43, 16-28-44, 16-28-45 repealed.

Summary

HB129 would largely end driver’s license suspensions in Alabama for many common reasons and require suspensions to follow federal requirements, while repealing several old suspension provisions.

What This Bill Does

The bill would bar license suspensions for minor in possession of alcohol and for failure to appear in court or to pay fines. It would limit license suspensions for failure to pay child support to the extent required by federal law, and would eliminate suspensions for drug offenses. It would also repeal existing drug-crime suspension and school-attendance suspension statutes, give the Governor power to oppose certain drug-conviction suspensions, and set enforcement rules for the relevant state agencies; some provisions depend on federal changes and would take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Who It Affects

• Drivers and licensees in Alabama would generally not face license suspension for minor in possession, failure to appear, failure to pay fines, or many drug-related offenses, and child-support suspensions would be limited by federal requirements.
• State agencies and officials (Department of Human Resources, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, the Governor, and the courts) would implement the new rules, adjust policies, and repeal older suspension authorities.

Key Provisions

• Eliminates driver’s license suspension for conviction or adjudication of minor in possession of alcohol.
• Limits or eliminates license suspension for failure to pay child support to the extent required by federal law; DHR may seek suspensions only as federal law requires.
• Prevents license suspension for failure to appear in court and for failure to pay a court-imposed fine or restitution.
• Prohibits license suspension for conviction or adjudication of drug-related offenses; Governor may notify the federal government of opposition to drug-conviction suspensions and repeal related statutes.
• Repeals sections addressing drug-crime suspensions and school-attendance-based driving-privilege conditioning.
• Allows the Governor to opt out of federal drug-suspension requirements (with appropriate certifications).
• Some provisions become effective immediately; others depend on federal amendments and waivers.

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

Subjects

Drivers' Licenses