SB196 Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment to Amendment 38 (Section 124) of the Alabama Constitution of 1901 regarding gubernatorial power over death sentences.

• Requires the Governor to notify the Attorney General and make reasonable efforts to notify a designated victim's family member (using contact information provided by the Attorney General) before granting a reprieve or commutation to a person under sentence of death.

• Voids any reprieve or commutation if the Governor fails to provide required notification, allowing the Attorney General to seek a new execution order from the Alabama Supreme Court.

• Maintains existing legislative authority to regulate pardons, paroles, remission of fines and forfeitures, and court authority to suspend sentences and order probation.

• Amendment became effective upon approval by a majority of qualified electors voting thereon; Senate passed 16-FEB-22 and House passed 05-APR-22.