SJR56 Summary

• Establishes the Study Commission on Financial Obligations in Pretrial Services and Alternative Courts to examine all costs participants must pay, including application fees, monthly fees, drug testing fees, and electronic monitoring charges.

• Commission prioritizes studying financial obligations for felony-charged participants accessing pretrial services or alternative court programs.

• Commission composed of 12 members including the Executive Director of the Alabama Sentencing Commission (chair), 3 legislators, 2 circuit judges, district attorney, practicing attorney, legal research organization representatives, and county commission representative.

• First meeting required by September 1, 2022, with appointments to be made by the first day of the third month following passage; commission must submit findings and legislative recommendations by the first day of the 2023 regular legislative session, then dissolve.

• Legislative members receive standard legislative compensation and per diem; non-legislative members reimbursed for necessary expenses according to their appointing authority's policies.