House Bill 546 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ernie YarbroughRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Incarceration; to provide required time periods in the administration of the Lawrence County Community Corrections and Court Services Fund

Summary

HB546 updates how Lawrence County funds and operates its Community Corrections and Court Services programs, changes bond release rules for some defendants, allows municipal participation, and repeals an older rehabilitation program, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

It changes how surplus money in the Lawrence County fund is handled, allowing it to be paid to the county General Fund if the surplus is more than what is needed. It modifies appearance bond rules for non-capital, bailable offenses by permitting a 10% cash deposit and directing deposits to be paid into the fund, with possible additional conditions to ensure appearance and public safety. It lets municipalities elect to join the program and contribute revenue from work release to the fund. It also repeals an older rehabilitation board and work release program and sets an effective date for these changes.

Who It Affects

• Lawrence County Commission and the General Fund, which would decide surplus distributions and receive funds related to the program
• Defendants charged with non-capital, bailable offenses in Lawrence County, who may face new appearance bond provisions and cash deposits
• Municipal governments in Lawrence County, which may elect to participate and must contribute revenue from work release programs
• The Lawrence County Community Corrections and Court Services Fund, whose administration, programs, and expenditures would be reshaped by these changes

Key Provisions

• Amends 45-40-233.75 to require fund amounts to be spent on subpart activities (admin, investigations, transport, grants, treatment, etc.) and to allow surplus at year-end to be paid to the General Fund of Lawrence County if a majority of commissioners determine the surplus exceeds what is needed
• Amends 45-40-233.77 to permit release on appearance bond with a 10% cash deposit and to direct 10% of deposits to the fund, with the remainder returned after dismissal or conviction; allows additional conditions to ensure appearance and public safety
• Amends 45-40-233.81 to let municipalities elect to participate in the programs and to contribute revenue from work release to the fund, with the election becoming effective the first day of the following fiscal quarter after delivery of the resolution
• Repeals Act 1979-736, which established a rehabilitation board and a work release program
• Effective October 1, 2026

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 3, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Lawrence County