[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6616845,"mediaKeyId","2848549-9c3d3c96b9efb0c85fb6a416bf1d2bf3","parentId",2848549,"title","Votes at a glance: committee advances several bills, adopts amendment to SB9","audioSeconds",221,"startMs",2637000,"endMs",2858000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848549-9c3d3c96b9efb0c85fb6a416bf1d2bf3&start=2637&end=2858","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848549-9c3d3c96b9efb0c85fb6a416bf1d2bf3/thumbnail_2637000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6616845/Alabama/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-advances-several-bills-adopts-amendment-to-SB9","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616845-59c6ced0138a96ec085e189513a2727a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775533885&Signature=RfwYdWMYWw8EVTMD2~NcLDEz94xw6s2cjoZ569u108hssY-KExURG3OU63tYwnL4JLcMsb4F9xG1KqffU4aMBRCknMKBaIFoqqrKrAXY3Om8nfHKdE5KrI1XD12YTGTI4EA3CEObYYKR7dtSQ5RKM0SeVlNQTgiC98aDvuWOiPxG7-nhfb-yqH30k8AUda-Qd1Ziqov3HZRT3Ax2Ep28Gayq3crhR91AQyBMUVd6zn2Gld7WNULdrXcyboJy6Sjjm68Q8np7H-FvgrKCdroAilIrIp35L6xoThcGixWH2f8wY1XBvvxJdjjdb9R5K6aEEFQ6QzFnUAqMlixmQG25lQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama Senate Sessions","date","2025-04-02T14:52:21.263Z","article","Several bills received favorable committee action with limited debate.

- SB9: Senators adopted a pending amendment by unanimous consent using a prior roll; the committee then gave SB9 a favorable report.

- SP153 (restoration of voting rights): Senator Coleman Madison presented a bill to establish a Pardons and Paroles Board website to record restored rights and notify registrars; the committee gave the bill a favorable report using a prior roll.

Clerks recorded unanimous consent or use of previous roll calls where noted; these items received favorable reports and will move forward in the legislative process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee","oneSentenceSummary","During the hearing the committee adopted an amendment and gave favorable reports to multiple bills by using previous roll calls; sponsors and clerks used prior roll calls to expedite action.","taxTitle","Senate, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama","taxId",62183,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6616850,"Senate committee carries over bill that would criminalize failing to seek help for overdose victims",489,2137000,2626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848549-9c3d3c96b9efb0c85fb6a416bf1d2bf3&start=2137&end=2626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848549-9c3d3c96b9efb0c85fb6a416bf1d2bf3/thumbnail_2137000.jpg","/articles/6616850/Alabama/Senate-committee-carries-over-bill-that-would-criminalize-failing-to-seek-help-for-overdose-victims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616850-29be104f1782d4b0f1feafdd0a165a14/orig.mp4?Expires=1775533885&Signature=Pb67C5n-H0Mnymh~pheXJjjwaeqEGBidSGu2-unGmEoc8~4Da4-OqJyQRh0bnq0EIJQgjiS8upbDILf4D3xQq44TzkQjyjtPLycwzX~8eChiOsHJtM7Xya9ylzUq1Cv5ie6p-feVxj-TpchGY5AGHsKMW0epnu6qt6CV9ZMEPIGv0M0TQLQs~wLtR21nkJRSV2hL7aN5qyiBI~Gr1Iq02odXhueoPoKbo~ESm2qIQysLf5FRWKEYEEBXUJgFQjOcxWMorMjCg8-rjRSgoO4VNT7YvzR3hYWxDkxSBL2bF0JbxDcCi-Ivwt6v92c4jwjNeOvngzGVNxSR~838ZufQrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Price presented SP218, a bill that would create a criminal offense for failing to render aid — or at minimum for failing to summon help — when someone at a gathering becomes incapacitated, citing a case in his district where a young man overdosed and was found dead four days later.

\"Her son was at a party. He overdosed, passed out in the backyard ... 4 days later, they found him,\" Senator Price said, explaining he had reviewed the proposal with the district attorneys' association and intends it to give prosecutors an additional tool.

Under the draft described in committee, the offense would cover people who \"walk off the scene and do nothing\" and could allow prosecutors to seek a class C felony charge in some cases, depending on facts and prosecutorial discretion. Price said the bill is intended to permit DAs to pursue charges if facts support them, not to mandate universal prosecutions.

Several senators pressed for narrowing language. Senator Figures asked how the bill would be proved when a person went inside and others assumed the victim had left; Senator Weaver asked whether the bill's phrase \"while engaged in the illegal use of a controlled substance\" would automatically render participants impaired. Concerned senators said the measure could sweep in people who genuinely did not know someone was incapacitated and could expose many to criminal process.

Senator Price said he was willing to work with colleagues and asked senators with questions to meet offline on amendments. The sponsor moved to carry the bill over to allow time to refine the statute, and the committee agreed. No vote on the bill was taken at the hearing.

Committee members recommended addressing knowledge, willfulness and proximity in any amendment so the criminal exposure targets culpable conduct rather than uninformed bystanders. The sponsor said the bill's intent is to provide a prosecutorial tool and to offer closure to families when appropriate.","Senator Price introduced SP218 after a constituent's case in which a partygoer overdosed and remained undiscovered for days. Senators raised concerns about mens rea and the bill's reach; sponsor agreed to pursue amendments and carried the bill over.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6616854,"Committee advances bill to criminalize misappropriation of public employee retirement contributions",638,1467000,2105000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848549-9c3d3c96b9efb0c85fb6a416bf1d2bf3&start=1467&end=2105","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848549-9c3d3c96b9efb0c85fb6a416bf1d2bf3/thumbnail_1467000.jpg","/articles/6616854/Alabama/Committee-advances-bill-to-criminalize-misappropriation-of-public-employee-retirement-contributions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616854-79dacc48cacc5761436d172dff11ed2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775533885&Signature=mrgQvDDhcF3CDvdsgSgOG3~FJpW2mITRlpSVvIevfyaNmTDpbf10fL-jD0iUKjq3E3l3zHhwh-qm8vh6H8mTBxKFRG3z1weWmIegfVKqVl1xcLB7OeZ2fQgTTjM84VkJkxXrpgBPf6iizwrF415HMXELii2-77biAZfz4V-CJWQqZvZJ9OpTCveRTZSZHbH0ClJU2FOnl7MyaiHS6AGjQt5JR4hw2HX18al7WAV0KtI2HtbaqjzF~EPvDyXHdjtD1i6ZpRnK8phUBJxCdbGARujqG~buIy69GCTJMNuHTZ8XupScEcCrGUdZ3nx4RVdfSujJCDbiBcj4IQQAZ5e3CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee gave a favorable report, 10–1, to SB244, a bill intended to make it a crime to misappropriate public employee retirement contributions that were deducted from payroll.

Senator Nelson, who explained the bill, said audits by the Office of Public Examiners uncovered instances in which retirement withholdings were not remitted to the retirement system and there was no criminal remedy. \"They were taking from people's paychecks and spending it on whatever else,\" Nelson said, arguing the bill closes that loophole.

Committee debate focused on scope and mens rea. A city chief financial officer who spoke during the hearing warned that line staff who follow supervisors' instructions could be exposed to prosecution. \"I'm the CFO for City of X, and the mayor says, this is how we're gonna do this, and the city council votes unanimously. ... You're telling me I'm supposed to have the cuffs put on me?\" the CFO said (name not specified in the transcript).

Supporters said the bill targets intentional misuse. Senator Albritton read the bill language and said it applies to those who \"embezzle, steal, or unlawfully and willfully abstract or convert\" retirement funds rather than to losses from investment or inadvertent errors. Senator Bell added the wording shows the offense is limited to intentional acts.

Senator Singleton described a case in her district and urged passage so retirees are not left without the dollars they expected to receive. Senator Nelson and others acknowledged the need to craft language that preserves protections for innocent employees while holding administrators accountable.

The committee requested that legislative staff consider clarifying intent requirements to avoid ensnaring data-entry employees or other low-level staff who lack intent to commit theft. The bill received a favorable committee report by roll call, 10 yes to 1 no; Senator Gavan recorded the lone dissent.

The committee's action advances the bill to the next stage of the legislative process; sponsors said they will work on statutory language addressing intent and chain-of-custody concerns.","Senators voted 10–1 to give a favorable report to SB244, which sponsors say would close a gap that allowed public employers to spend employee retirement withholdings without criminal penalty.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6616859,"Senate committee carries over bill that would add child-support penalty for DUI killings",818,599000,1417000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848549-9c3d3c96b9efb0c85fb6a416bf1d2bf3&start=599&end=1417","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848549-9c3d3c96b9efb0c85fb6a416bf1d2bf3/thumbnail_599000.jpg","/articles/6616859/Alabama/Senate-committee-carries-over-bill-that-would-add-child-support-penalty-for-DUI-killings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616859-3e1900467ca8498580d69aa444614a50/orig.mp4?Expires=1775533885&Signature=d3GJ7CdwYe7k89cJpaqNl3gteK6yV~hnCGcVuoA7s7DysNvq~CYp4V3B3h6e~QbWbk4tPxXAVK5aBfq1BBN3~3fjfmSb6PntWlh8G22CC2myHL-JLpr~5fzXQxcE~snRX2PNsXf8ZAEUFYanrnmTaATTCPFtYbXBkNh8PnfcsR2DUiDwxXderGF3WjZD8sTSPDOMD8XrO0KUxxFHdrbg22HBFpEfUHD-nx5SDWWJq5Ei0tthyXuwfll8mxWjVTvcKuZGZyYlNrNOrO2EfdwIZDPc960clK1CxcHIOarLL5Pu5CBBp4jct2fa85VCPp9HIZQRZYsIUV9PFIO5J~dqIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee carried over SB167 on a proposal that would allow courts to require people convicted of DUI-related killings to pay child support for the victim's minor children.

Senator Orr, who introduced the measure, said the proposal mirrors a Texas law and would make child-support obligations part of the criminal penalty when a DUI causes a death. \"This bill is out of Texas. Texas passed this and said if you are in a DUI and you kill somebody who has small children, that is part of the criminal sanction, you can be required to pay child support,\" Senator Orr said.

Supporters and several senators pressed for an amendment clarifying that criminally-ordered child support would not bar civil claims by the victims' families. Senator Orr said an amendment was prepared to make clear the criminal penalty \"would not be to the exclusion of any civil action that may be brought against the drunk driver.\" The sponsor later removed his motion to adopt the amendment and moved to carry the bill over for further work.

Senators voiced a range of concerns during the discussion. Senator Smitherman asked whether other benefits would offset any criminally-ordered child support, noting the military sometimes applies offsets for survivor benefits. \"Will any other benefits as a result of what happened to that parent ... be considered as offsets to what you're saying?\" Smitherman asked. Senator Orr replied he would review how Texas handles offsets and could address it in amendment language.

Other senators warned the bill could have broad incidental consequences. Senator Spetterman said criminal contempt and incarceration for unpaid child support could result: \"If you don't pay that child support ... they gonna go straight to jail.\" Senator Albritton and Senator Coleman Madison raised equity concerns, asking how the measure would treat defendants who already support other families or who lack ability to pay.

Senators also discussed the intended duration of support. One senator asked, \"if it passes, then they will be responsible for child support ... till the child gets 19?\" The sponsor confirmed the measure envisions support until majority (as currently drafted).

The committee agreed to carry SB167 over so sponsors can revise language on offsets, intent and interaction with wrongful-death civil remedies. No committee vote on the bill was recorded at the hearing.

The discussion reflected a mix of policy intent — providing financial relief for children who lose a parent — and implementation concerns about fairness, enforcement and overlap with civil remedies. The sponsor said he would work with colleagues and submit amendment language before the bill reaches the floor.","A Senate committee carried over SB167 after senators debated an amendment meant to preserve civil remedies and raised concerns about fairness, enforcement and unintended consequences for defendants and their families.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: committee advances several bills, adopts amendment to SB9

Senate committee carries over bill that would criminalize failing to seek help for overdose victims

Committee advances bill to criminalize misappropriation of public employee retirement contributions

Senate committee carries over bill that would add child-support penalty for DUI killings