SB232 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tom Whatley
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Motor vehicles, speeding violations, arrest or conviction not subject to jail time, Sec. 32-5A-179 added.
Summary: SB232 would generally bar jail time solely for speeding arrests or convictions, with certain exceptions, and clarifies how it interacts with local-funding rules.
What This Bill Does
It adds new Section 32-5A-179 to prevent jailing solely for speeding arrests or convictions, subject to exceptions in related provisions. It preserves the ability to jail a person for failing to appear as required or for other offenses, and it references existing exceptions in 32-5A-178. It also explains that, although the bill would usually imply new local spending, it is exempt from Amendment 621’s local-funding requirements because it defines or changes a crime. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects
Individuals who are arrested for or convicted of speeding violations would not be jailed solely for that arrest or conviction (subject to exceptions).
Local governments and taxpayers, because the bill discusses local-funding rules and declares an exemption from the usual 2/3 vote or local approval requirements due to its nature as defining or amending a crime.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 32-5A-179 to prohibit jailing or imprisonment solely in connection with a speeding arrest or conviction, with exceptions.
Allows jail for failing to timely appear as required or for other offenses under related sections (32-5A-178) and clarifies this is not prevented by the new section.
Notes that the bill is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime, and thus does not require local entity approval or a 2/3 vote for it to become law.
Establishes the effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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