SB196 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve LivingstonSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Sam Givhan

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Death sentences, Governor required to provide prior notice when granting a reprieve or commutation to Attorney General and to family member of victim, const. amend.

Summary

A constitutional amendment requiring the Governor to notify the Attorney General and a victim’s designated family member before granting a reprieve or commutation to someone on death row, with the reprieve or commutation void if notice is not provided.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the Governor cannot grant a reprieve or commutation for a death sentence until the Attorney General and a designated member of the victim’s family are notified. The notice must be sent to the Attorney General and to the victim’s family member using contact information supplied by the Attorney General. If the required notification is not provided, the reprieve or commutation is void, and the Attorney General may seek a new execution order from the Alabama Supreme Court under existing law. The amendment also preserves the Legislature’s authority to regulate pardons, paroles, fines and forfeitures, and related matters, and it maintains that a pardon does not remove civil or political disabilities unless the pardon explicitly states so.

Who It Affects

• Death-sentenced individuals: their ability to receive a reprieve or commutation is conditioned on proper notice; without notice, the reprieve/commutation can be voided.
• Attorney General and victims’ families: they are designated to receive notification regarding any reprieve or commutation; the Attorney General also retains authority to pursue a new execution order if notice is not given.

Key Provisions

• The Governor may grant reprieves and commutations to persons under a death sentence.
• Before exercising this power, the Governor must notify the Attorney General and make reasonable efforts to notify a designated member of the victim's family, using contact details provided by the Attorney General.
• If the required notification is not provided, the reprieve or commutation is void, and the Attorney General may seek a new execution order from the Alabama Supreme Court under existing law.
• The Legislature may regulate pardons, paroles, remission of fines and forfeitures, and may authorize suspension of sentence and probation.
• No pardon shall relieve civil and political disabilities unless specifically expressed in the pardon.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments