Maddy summarySB 156 allows certain inmates serving life without parole under Alabama's habitual felony offender law to petition for resentencing, specifically targeting those convicted of non-violent offenses (excluding homicide, sex crimes, or offenses causing serious injury) before May 26, 2000. Eligible individuals must file a motion in the original sentencing court, with courts considering factors like prison conduct, age, and victim input before potentially reducing sentences or ordering time served. The bill requires 30 days for victim notification via the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles and mandates that all references to the Board of Pardons and Paroles be updated to distinguish the board from its executive staff. The law expires automatically on October 1, 2030.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 283 would allow Alabama's State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of certain state funds in digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies or stablecoins, under strict conditions. It requires investments to be either exchange-traded products (ETPs) or digital assets with a $750 billion+ average market capitalization over the past year. The bill mandates that all digital assets must be held through secure custody solutions meeting detailed security standards, including encrypted private keys, multi-party transaction approval, and geographically diversified data centers. This policy directly affects state investment funds managed by the Treasurer and sets specific risk limits for digital asset holdings. The law would take effect on October 1, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 284 requires Alabama state agencies to publish all public payments over $1,000 (such as vendor contracts or services) to a public blockchain ledger starting October 1, 2030. It mandates the Department of Finance to create a strategic plan by September 2027, including implementation recommendations, which must be approved by the Governor by December 2027. The bill does not require exclusive use of blockchain technology for tracking state spending but establishes a timeline for transparency in public financial records.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for appointing visiting judges in Alabama courts to handle specific violent crime cases. The Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court may appoint sitting or retired judges upon request from prosecutors, after reviewing case details and reasons for the need. Visiting judges gain full judicial authority for their assigned cases, receive expense reimbursement through a new Speedy Trial Fund, and must use available courtroom resources and jury schedules to expedite proceedings. It directly affects prosecutors, courts handling violent crimes (as defined in existing law), and county court operations.
Maddy summarySB 116 prohibits the possession, sale, or use of firearm parts designed to convert a pistol into a machine gun, making it a Class C felony. The bill directly affects individuals who handle these specific conversion devices, including gun owners, dealers, and manufacturers. Key provisions criminalize obtaining, selling, or using such parts, with penalties applying unless an exemption applies (though the text is cut off). This law focuses on restricting access to devices that enable rapid-fire capability, without altering existing regulations for fully automatic firearms.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Alabama's 2022 Constitution, specifically amending Section 160 to prohibit reducing a district attorney's salary during their term of office. It directly affects elected district attorneys across Alabama's judicial circuits by guaranteeing their compensation cannot be cut while they serve. The key provision adds explicit language stating that "compensation shall not be diminished during his or her official term," building on existing salary provisions. This is a procedural constitutional change, not a new law, requiring voter approval at the 2026 primary election to take effect.
Maddy summarySB 227 amends Alabama law to adjust compensation for judges and district attorneys. It sets a new $140,000 starting salary for newly appointed or elected district attorneys (replacing a previous formula based on circuit judge pay) and removes restrictions on future DA salary increases. The bill also implements automatic 7.5% salary raises for judges after 6, 12, and 18 years of service, and prohibits counties from providing additional pay to circuit or district judges. These changes affect all Alabama judges, district attorneys, and other elected officials whose pay was previously tied to judicial salaries. The bill updates existing salary structures without creating new funding requirements.
Maddy summarySB 176 changes Alabama's drug distribution laws by reclassifying the unlawful sale of controlled substances as a violent offense (instead of nonviolent), meaning standard sentencing rules no longer apply. It removes marijuana from the general controlled substance statute and creates a new specific offense for "unlawful distribution of marijuana" with dedicated penalties. The bill also modifies sentencing enhancements for drug distribution occurring near schools or public housing projects, allowing judges to impose an additional five-year sentence. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of drug distribution crimes in Alabama, altering how such offenses are categorized and punished.
Maddy summarySB 15 prohibits both adult and juvenile sex offenders from working or volunteering as first responders, including paramedics, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians. This amendment to Alabama law (Sections 15-20A-13 and 15-20A-31) directly affects individuals convicted of sex offenses who seek these roles. The bill expands existing restrictions - previously limiting sex offenders from schools, childcare, and youth facilities - to explicitly ban first responder positions. Violating this prohibition carries a Class C felony penalty.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows Alabama's Attorney General or Governor to appoint an interim police chief for a city's police department when specific safety threats exist, such as a 30% or greater reduction in officers compared to the department's 10-year average. The appointment requires reviewing crime statistics, consulting with local officials (district attorney, sheriff), and victims before proceeding. The interim chief serves at the appointing authority's discretion, reports directly to them (not city officials), and must submit semimonthly reports to the city council. Municipalities with an interim chief must maintain police department funding at the previous five-year average level or risk losing state funds.