House Bill 282 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Board of Pardons and Paroles; commencement date changed to March 1

Summary

HB282 would shift the Board of Pardons and Paroles term start date from July 1 to March 1 and revise how vacancies are filled, with a 2026 transition to six-year terms.

What This Bill Does

It changes the start of board member terms from July 1 to March 1. It establishes six-year terms and adds transitional rules that apply to appointments beginning in 2026. It requires the board to reflect state diversity and to include at least one current or former law enforcement officer with 10+ years of relevant experience. It creates a five-person nominating committee to name candidates for vacancies; the Governor appoints from five nominees after Senate advice and consent, with interim appointment rules and a deemed-confirmation provision if the Senate does not vote.

Who It Affects

• Board members and applicants for the Board of Pardons and Paroles: term start date changes to March 1, six-year terms, diversity requirements, and vacancy/transition provisions.
• Governor, Senate, and nominating committee: redesign of the vacancy nomination/confirmation process, including a five-name slate and specific timing rules for appointments.

Key Provisions

• Change term start date for board members from July 1 to March 1.
• Terms are six years long, with transitional rules applicable beginning October 1, 2026 (terms start March 1).
• If serving on October 1, 2026, current members' terms end on the last day of February in the sixth year of their term.
• Board must reflect diversity in race, gender, geography, urban/rural status, and economics; at least one member must be a current or former law enforcement officer with at least 10 years' experience.
• Vacancies are filled by the Governor from five nominees nominated by a board nominating committee (Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate).
• The nominating committee must submit five names to the Governor, who must appoint within 10 days; appointments take effect immediately pending Senate confirmation.
• Interim appointments are allowed when the Senate is not in regular session; if the Senate is in session, confirmations occur within specified timelines thereafter; if the Senate fails to vote before sine die, the appointment is deemed confirmed.
• Quorum for board business is two members; chair designated by the Governor; compensation follows existing law; board members cannot hold other profit offices during incumbency.
• Effective date of the act is October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Authorities, Boards, & Commissions