HB478 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Proncey Robertson

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Tracy EstesCraig LipscombParker MooreRex Reynolds

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Criminal law, to modify the criminal penalties for criminal solicitation, attempt, and criminal conspiracy for consistency with Class D felony offenses, Secs. 13A-4-1, 13A-4-2, 13A-4-3 am'd.

Summary

HB478 would align the penalties for criminal solicitation, attempt, and conspiracy with Class D felony offenses.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes the penalties for criminal solicitation, attempt, and conspiracy by using a tiered mapping based on the underlying crime being solicited, attempted, or conspired to commit. For example, soliciting or attempting to commit murder would be a Class A felony, and penalties step down through Class B, Class C, and misdemeanors, down to a violation for the least serious offenses (including certain Class C and D felonies). It preserves existing renunciation defenses and related provisions, and it notes that the bill is exempt from certain local-funding requirements because it creates or amends crimes, with immediate effect after gubernatorial approval.

Who It Affects

• Criminal defendants who solicit, attempt, or conspire to commit crimes would face penalties determined by the tiered table based on the underlying offense (ranging from Class A felony for murder down to violations for the least serious offenses).
• Law enforcement, prosecutors, and the courts, who would apply the new penalty schedule and determine outcomes related to renunciation defenses and sentencing.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 13A-4-1, 13A-4-2, and 13A-4-3, Code of Alabama 1975, to modify the criminal penalties for criminal solicitation, attempt, and criminal conspiracy so they are consistent with Class D felony offenses.
• Establishes a tiered penalty mapping based on the underlying offense being solicited, attempted, or conspired to commit: murder → Class A felony; underlying Class A felony → Class B felony; underlying Class B felony → Class C felony; underlying Class C felony or Class C D felony → Class A misdemeanor; underlying Class A misdemeanor → Class B misdemeanor; underlying Class B misdemeanor → Class C misdemeanor; underlying Class C misdemeanor → violation.
• Retains the existing renunciation defenses (voluntary and complete renunciation with notice to authorities and steps to prevent the crime) as part of the new provisions.
• Provides that, although the bill would affect local funds under Amendment 621, it is excluded from those requirements because it defines a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime, and it becomes effective immediately after governor’s approval.

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

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses