HB96 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to voting rights; to amend Sections 15-22-36.1, 17-3-31, and 17-4-3, Code of Alabama 1975; to eliminate the application requirement and the Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote; to require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to determine whether an individual may have his or her right to vote restored if the individual has lost his or her right to vote by reason of conviction in a state or federal court and has been pardoned or released from incarceration or period of probation or parole; to allow an indigent individual to have his or her right to vote restored if he or she has paid all fines and restitution and is in compliance with an approved payment plan for the payment of court costs and fees or an approved community service plan to offset the payment of court costs and fees; to remove impeachment from the list of offenses that prohibit an individual from having his or her right to vote restored to make consistent with existing law; and to add Section 17-3-31.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to require notification to the individual that his or her right to vote has been restored.

Summary

HB96 changes how Alabama restores voting rights for people with past convictions by removing the Certificate of Eligibility, letting the Board of Pardons and Paroles decide restoration after pardon or release, and adding a paid-work or community service path for indigent individuals along with notification requirements.

What This Bill Does

The bill eliminates the application process and Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote, and requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to determine restoration for those pardoned or released from incarceration, probation, or parole. It creates an indigent restoration option based on paying all fines and restitution, or paying fines with a plan for court costs/fees or performing an approved community service plan for at least one year. It removes impeachment from the list of offenses that block restoration (keeping other listed offenses), and adds a requirement that individuals be notified when their voting rights are restored. It also establishes timelines and processes for eligibility reviews, and creates a community service program to offset court costs with credits tied to hours of service, plus additional notification and record-sharing requirements.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who lost their right to vote due to a state or federal conviction and have been pardoned or released, who could have their rights restored through Board review.
• Indigent individuals who owe fines, restitution, or court costs and who meet the payment or approved community service criteria to have their voting rights restored.

Key Provisions

• Eliminate the application requirement and the Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote; the Board of Pardons and Paroles will determine restoration after pardon or release.
• Indigent restoration path: restore rights if all fines and restitution are paid and there is compliance with an approved payment plan for court costs/fees or with an approved community service plan for at least one year.
• Remove impeachment from the list of disqualifying offenses; other offenses listed in 17-3-30.1 that involve moral turpitude may still block restoration.
• Add Section 17-3-31.1 to require notification to the individual when voting rights are restored, and require notifying the Secretary of State and county registrars; include known address handling.
• Create a detailed eligibility process: Board investigates eligibility within 30 days, issues a Certificate of Eligibility if eligible, and notifies the applicant within 14 days; if not eligible, provides reasons and steps to remedy, with ability to reapply after meeting criteria.
• Establish a community service program to offset court costs; allows economic hardship petitions; credits earned reduce outstanding costs; program guidelines and annual reporting, and implementation by set deadlines.
• Set payment priority for outstanding fines, restitution, and court costs among disqualifying and non-disqualifying cases; provide mechanisms for appeals and record sharing to implement restoration.

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