HB346 Summary

• Change professional bail company authorization requirement from annually to biannually, with reissuance required by January 1 and July 1 of each year by the presiding circuit judge.

• Increase minimum corporate surety bond or escrow agreement amount from $25,000 to $1,000,000, and limit maximum appearance bond per defendant to the escrow amount filed, with total liabilities capped at three times the escrow amount.

• Require professional bail companies to submit biannual sworn affidavits signed by owners or principals providing proof of financial net worth, criminal background clearance (including fingerprinting), and compliance with educational requirements.

• Mandate all bail agents complete a 20-hour training course and pass a state certification exam developed by the Alabama Department of Insurance, plus maintain 10 hours of continuing education annually.

• Impose filing fee of $500 per biannual certification distributed as: 10% to county sheriff's fund, 45% to court clerk's fund, and 45% to solicitor's fund; establish penalties of at least $5,000 per violation for providing false information or failing to disclose records.