HB1 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt SimpsonRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to controlled substances; to amend Section 13A-12-231, Code of Alabama 1975; to add mandatory minimums for certain felony drug trafficking crimes; to provide for additional penalties for subsequent offenses; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.

Summary

HB1 creates mandatory minimum sentences and fines for trafficking in a wide range of drugs, adds penalties for repeat offenses, and imposes firearm-enhanced penalties, with these offenses treated as Class A felonies.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes mandatory minimum imprisonment terms and fines based on the amount of various drugs involved (including cannabis, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin/morphine, LSD, PCP, MDMA, amphetamine, methamphetamine, methaqualone, hydromorphone, and other synthetic substances). It also adds enhanced penalties for second and third convictions and requires an additional sentence and fine if a firearm is possessed during the offense. These offenses are designated as Class A felonies for sentencing, and the act includes an effective date and a provision about local funding obligations under Section 111.05 of the Alabama Constitution, noting an exception for crime definitions.

Who It Affects

• Drug traffickers and offenders across multiple substances (cannabis, cocaine, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, heroin, morphine, LSD, PCP, MDMA, amphetamine, methamphetamine, methaqualone, hydromorphone, and other synthetic drugs) who would face mandatory minimum prison terms and substantial fines based on the quantity involved.
• Individuals who commit these offenses while in possession of a firearm, who would receive an additional non-suspendable 5-year prison term and a separate $25,000 fine, in addition to the standard penalties.

Key Provisions

• Trafficking in cannabis: mandatory minimums based on weight ranges from over 1 kilo up to life imprisonment, with escalating fines.
• Trafficking in cocaine: mandatory minimums based on weight ranges from 28 grams up to life, with escalating fines.
• Trafficking in illegal drugs (morphine/opium/heroin and fentanyl or fentanyl analogue mixtures): tiered mandatory minimums from 4 grams up to life, with escalating fines.
• Trafficking in other drugs (methaqualone, hydromorphone, MDMA variants, amphetamine, methamphetamine, phencyclidine, LSD): similar weight/quantity-based tiers and penalties, including life in the largest categories.
• Trafficking in synthetic controlled substances: penalties based on grams of synthetic substances or analogues, with separate tiers and possible life imprisonment.
• Trafficking in fentanyl as a single component: quantitative thresholds from 1 gram up to 8+ grams, with increasing mandatory minimums and fines; an additional enhancement for second and third convictions.
• Trafficking in illegal drugs (including fentanyl and other listed substances) when quantities trigger multiple tiers, plus firearm enhancement if a weapon is involved.
• Second conviction adds a separate 5-year term; third or subsequent convictions add an additional 10-year term, both not subject to suspension or probation for the added term.
• All listed offenses are treated as Class A felonies for certain sentencing purposes, with potential alignment to higher penalties under existing sections when applicable.
• An additional firearm-enhancement provision: possession of a firearm during the offense adds 5 years to the sentence and a $25,000 fine, non-suspendable.

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