HB547 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris PringleRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Bail bonds, cash bail only requirement removed, under certain conditions, arrest and delivery of a defendant further provided, time frames for providing notice and conducting hearings increased in conditional forfeiture proceedings, Bail Bond Reform Act of 1993, Secs. 15-13-103, 15-13-111, 15-13-114, 15-13-118, 15-13-125, 15-13-128, 15-13-131, 15-13-132, 15-13-136, 15-13-137, 15-13-138, 15-13-142, 15-13-145, 15-13-160, 15-13-164 am'd.

Summary

HB547 would reform Alabama's Bail Bond Reform Act by removing cash-bail-only requirements for some initial arrests, clarifying bail options, tightening surety procedures, extending forfeiture timelines, and raising bond-related requirements in larger counties.

What This Bill Does

Removes the cash-bail-only requirement for initial custody arrests in certain circumstances and provides clearer definitions of cash bail and property bail. Allows a surety to arrest and deliver a defendant to jail with no court costs charged to the surety; requires bondsman license numbers on bondsman process forms and prevents charges for certain bondsman-related costs. Extends the timeframes for notice and hearings in conditional forfeiture proceedings and adjusts when forfeiture can be set aside, including rules around eligibility for judicial public bail. In counties with 200,000 or more people, increases the amount of corporate surety bonds and escrow agreements; introduces higher bond requirements and related certifications; adds criminal penalties for certain unlawful behavior; and makes nonsubstantive technical updates to the code.

Who It Affects

• Defendants in custody or facing bail, who could see changes in how bail is set (including non-cash options) and eligibility for judicial public bail.
• Professional bail companies, bondsmen, and sureties, who face new requirements for processing, licensing information on forms, and higher bond/escrow amounts in larger counties.
• Counties and local courts, which would handle extended forfeiture notice/hearing timelines and updated forfeiture procedures.
• Clerks and clerical staff of courts, who would implement new forms, processes, and certifications for bonds and forfeitures.

Key Provisions

• Removes cash-bail-only restriction for certain initial custody arrests; adds clear definitions of cash bail and property bail.
• Arrest and delivery by a surety to jail with no court costs charged to the surety; bondsman process forms must include license numbers; bondsman process costs restricted.
• Increases timeframes for conditional forfeiture notices and hearings (response window 28–180 days; hearings 90–120 days after service).
• Allows setting aside forfeiture under additional circumstances; clarifies restrictions on judicial public bail and expands eligibility for judicial public bail.
• In counties with 200,000+ population, increases requirements for corporate surety bonds and escrow agreements; new bonds may be $50,000 for new bonds (renewals stay at $25,000); adds annual certification requirements for professional bail companies.
• Adds criminal penalties for certain unlawful behavior related to bail bonds and updates code language to current style; includes provisions that address misrepresentation and illegal conduct by involved parties.
• Exempts the bill from local expenditure approval requirements due to constitutional exceptions, enabling its effects without local government consent.

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

Subjects

Bail Bonds