SB156 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will BarfootSenator

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Sentencing; habitual felony offender act, resentencing procedures, established

Summary

SB156 creates a limited path for certain inmates with enhanced habitual felony offender sentences to seek resentencing, and updates victim-notification governance with a sunset and agency clarifications.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new process (13A-5-9.2) allowing eligible inmates to file a motion for sentence reduction after October 1, 2025, with specific eligibility rules and a possible hearing to decide if a reduced sentence or time served is appropriate. It strengthens and reorganizes victim notification by creating a Task Force, later a Victim Notification Oversight Council, and a dedicated fund to manage automated notifications, while assigning enforcement and operational responsibilities to the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Department of Corrections, and other agencies. It requires the Code Commissioner to distinguish between the three-member Board and the executive staff in collective references. The sunset provision repeals the new resentencing mechanism on October 1, 2030, and the act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Inmates serving sentences under the habitual felony offender act who meet the specified criteria (not homicide, not certain sex offenses, not attempted murder, not offenses causing serious injury, life without parole, final sentence before May 26, 2000, and no disqualifying prior offenses) and who may be eligible for resentencing.
• Victims named in indictments and other interested parties who would receive notifications and have the opportunity to be heard or submit statements, along with the state agencies (Bureau of Pardons and Paroles, Department of Corrections, District Attorneys, Attorney General) involved in implementing and enforcing the resentencing and victim-notification processes.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 13A-5-9.2 to allow eligible inmates sentenced under the habitual felony offender act to file a motion for reduction, with eligibility criteria including offense type exclusions, non-LWP status, pre-2000 final sentences, and lack of certain prior convictions.
• Creates a structured process for resentencing motions: hearings by designated judges, notification of the district attorney and the Attorney General for review, victim notification and right to be heard, and a 30-day waiting period after victim notification before a hearing may proceed; provisions on possible outcomes (reduced sentence or time served).
• Amends the statewide automated victim notification system governance to establish a Victim Notification Task Force, later converting to a Victim Notification Oversight Council, with responsibilities for system development, compliance, and public awareness, plus a Victim Notification System Fund to support the system.
• Clarifies administrative references within the Code to distinguish between the three-member Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles and its executive staff, assigns related duties, and sets effective date October 1, 2025 with a sunset repeal of the resentencing provisions on October 1, 2030.

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

Subjects

Criminal Procedure