SB183 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Garlan GudgerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to labor and employement; to exclude consideration of a motor carrier's use of safety improvements, technologies, practices, and driver coaching in determining a motor carrier driver's classification as an independent contractor or an employee under state law.

Summary

The bill says safety improvements used by motor carriers cannot be used to decide whether a driver is an employee or an independent contractor under Alabama law.

What This Bill Does

If a carrier uses safety devices, technology, training, or coaching, that usage cannot affect a driver's employment classification. The law defines motor carrier safety improvements as any safety-focused device, technology, procedure, training, policy, program, or practice. The change applies to how state law determines whether someone is an employee or an independent contractor.

Who It Affects

• Motor carriers and their drivers in Alabama, whose employment classification cannot be influenced by safety improvements
• Employers who classify workers as employees or independent contractors under state law, who must apply this rule when assessing worker status

Key Provisions

• Section 1(a): The deployment or use of a motor carrier safety improvement shall not be considered when determining a person's employee or independent contractor status under any state law
• Section 1(b): Defines 'motor carrier safety improvement' as any device, equipment, software, technology, procedure, training, policy, program, or operational practice aimed at improving safety (traffic/motor carrier safety, vehicle safety, operator safety, or safety of third parties on public roads)
• Section 2: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is approved by the Governor

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