SB76 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Sam GivhanSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Will BarfootChris Elliott

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Governor, granting of reprieves and commutations, notice to victims required under certain conditions, const. amend.

Summary

A proposed constitutional change would require the Governor to notify the Attorney General and certain victims’ families before granting a death sentence commutation or reprieve, and allows a legal challenge if notice wasn’t given.

What This Bill Does

It adds a requirement that the Governor take reasonable steps to notify the Attorney General and all victim family members with contact information provided by the Attorney General before granting a commutation or reprieve to someone under a death sentence. It also lets a notified victim family member file a civil action in the Montgomery County Circuit Court within 30 days of the grant to challenge the act as a violation. If the court finds a violation, the commutation can be voided and the Governor barred from issuing further commutations until proper notice is given.

Who It Affects

• Death-sentenced inmates: their ability to receive a commutation or reprieve is now contingent on notice being provided.
• Victims’ families and their representatives: entitled to notice and the right to challenge if notice is not given.
• Attorney General: designated recipient of notice information and involved in notifying victims’ families.
• Governor and Montgomery County Circuit Court: Governor must ensure notice; court handles challenges to notice and can void a commutation and issue an injunction.

Key Provisions

• Governor must notify the Attorney General and all victim family members with contact information provided by the Attorney General before granting a commutation or reprieve to a person under a death sentence.
• A victim family member who is entitled to notice may file a civil action in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County within 30 days after the governor grants the commutation or reprieve; if the court finds a violation, it shall void the commutation and enjoin the Governor from granting another until proper notice is provided.

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