SJR56 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Arthur Orr

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Study Commission on Financial Obligations in Pretrial Services and Alternative Courts, created

Summary

SJR56 creates a study commission to examine all costs that people pay to participate in pretrial services and alternative courts in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes a Study Commission on Financial Obligations in Pretrial Services and Alternative Courts to identify and quantify all charges related to pretrial programs, including application fees, upfront costs, monthly fees, drug testing, service-access fees, and electronic monitoring, with emphasis on felony cases. It outlines the commission's diverse membership and allows for assistance from the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services. The commission must hold its first meeting by September 1, 2022 and report its findings and recommendations to the Senate and House leaders at the start of the 2023 Regular Legislative Session, after which the commission would be dissolved.

Who It Affects

• Participants in pretrial services or alternative courts, especially those charged with felonies, who would be affected by any financial obligations identified.
• Judges, district attorneys, and other legal system professionals who oversee or administer pretrial programs.
• Legal organizations, bar associations, and local government groups involved in the study and its recommendations (e.g., Alabama Bar Association, Association of County Commissions, and legal research organizations).
• State and local government agencies and legislators who oversee or fund pretrial services and alternative court programs.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Study Commission on Financial Obligations in Pretrial Services and Alternative Courts and defines its purpose to study all costs participants may owe.
• Lists the commission's composition, including the chair (Executive Director of the Alabama Sentencing Commission), legislators, judges, district attorneys, prosecutors, attorneys, and representatives from legal and governmental organizations.
• Requires appointing authorities to ensure diversity in race, gender, geography, urban/rural status, and economy.
• Specifies appointment, term, compensation (members serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority; expenses possible for non-legislative members; legislative members have per diem and travel per constitutional allowances).
• Establishes a quorum rule (a majority of members) for meetings and allows the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services to assist the study.
• Allows coordination between the commission and the Evaluation of Services for mutual support and evaluation of pretrial programs.
• Sets timeline: first meeting by September 1, 2022, appointment reporting deadlines, and a final report due on the first day of the 2023 Regular Legislative Session, at which point the commission is dissolved.

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

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative