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AlabamaHB3022026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Bail and surety bonding; requirements for professional surety bondsman and professional bail bondsman further provided for, requirements for apprentice bondsman further provided for, to require circuit clerks to report the authorized professional bail bond companies, appointment of additional members to the Alabama Bail Bonding Board provided for, and late application and license renewal fees provided

Sponsored By: Chip Brown (Republican)

Enacted

Criminal Procedure

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 3 mixed.

Bail companies need larger new escrows

New bail-company escrow agreements made on or after October 1, 2026, require $100,000 in counties with at least 200,000 people. In smaller counties, the required amount is $50,000. Renewals of existing corporate surety bonds and escrow agreements keep the $25,000 amount. Moving an escrow agreement to another bank requires court approval to keep the same amount.

Bail workers need one-year Alabama residency

Beginning October 1, 2026, applicants for professional bondsman, professional surety bondsman, or recovery-agent licenses need one year of Alabama residency. They must prove residency with an Alabama driver license or Alabama nondriver identification card.

Longer apprentice bail licenses, tighter limits

Beginning October 1, 2026, apprentice bail licenses last 180 days instead of 120 days. Applicants must meet professional-license requirements except passing the exam. Each person can receive an apprentice license only once, and former professional-license holders cannot receive one. Apprentices must keep their license available and need direct supervision when apprehending a fugitive, but not for other duties. The Board can adopt a rule allowing 19- and 20-year-olds to work as apprentices until age 21. Those apprentices must finish a free, eight-hour approved course before their license expires.

Bond company ownership limits, succession options

Beginning October 1, 2026, professional surety bondsmen need three years of that license before owning a professional surety company. Professional bondsmen need three years of their license before owning a professional bail company. An unlicensed buyer can purchase a company after its owner dies or becomes completely incapacitated, as determined by the Board. The buyer must get licensed within 90 calendar days of purchase and employ someone licensed for at least three consecutive years.

Late bail license filings cost more

Beginning October 1, 2026, bail-bond licensees owe a $125 late application fee for missing the September 30 renewal-application deadline. The Board must email each licensee a reminder by September 1. A late renewal of a covered individual or company license also carries an extra fee equal to its renewal fee.

Bond companies face stricter paperwork rules

Beginning October 1, 2026, bond companies' annual county authorization filings must include sworn information about final forfeitures and bond posting fees. This covers amounts unpaid for more than 30 days, subject to the law's pending-litigation qualification. The Alabama Supreme Court must require an original qualifying power of attorney from a professional surety company with every bail bond form. That document must name authorized agents and state any limits on their authority.

Inactive bail licenses have fees, restart rules

Beginning October 1, 2026, licensees can place a bail license in inactive status and renew it during the renewal period. The inactive renewal fee cannot exceed $100. Late renewal adds a fee equal to the applicable license renewal fee. Returning to active status requires paying for an active license, passing a background check, and completing required continuing education.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Chip Brown

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 509 • No: 10

House vote • 4/9/2026

Brown motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1344

Yes: 104 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2026

Sessions motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1275

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2026

Sessions motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1276

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1277

Yes: 30 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 627

Yes: 74 • No: 3 • Other: 26

House vote • 2/26/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 626

Yes: 83 • No: 0 • Other: 20

House vote • 2/26/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 625

Yes: 77 • No: 2 • Other: 24

House vote • 2/26/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 81 • No: 5 • Other: 17

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    4/16/2026House

  2. Brown motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1344

    4/9/2026House

  3. Ready to Enroll

    4/9/2026House

  4. Enrolled

    4/9/2026House

  5. Signature Requested

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Delivered to Governor

    4/9/2026House

  7. Judiciary 1st Amendment Offered

    4/8/2026Senate

  8. Sessions motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1275

    4/8/2026Senate

  9. Sessions 1st Amendment Offered

    4/8/2026Senate

  10. Sessions motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1276

    4/8/2026Senate

  11. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1277

    4/8/2026Senate

  12. Judiciary 1st Amendment

    3/11/2026Senate

  13. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    3/11/2026Senate

  14. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    3/11/2026Senate

  15. Third Reading in House of Origin

    2/26/2026House

  16. Boards, Agencies and Commissions 1st Substitute Offered

    2/26/2026House

  17. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 625

    2/26/2026House

  18. Ingram 1st Amendment Offered

    2/26/2026House

  19. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 626

    2/26/2026House

  20. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 627

    2/26/2026House

  21. Engrossed

    2/26/2026House

  22. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary

    2/26/2026Senate

  23. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    2/26/2026Senate

  24. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/5/2026House

  25. Boards, Agencies and Commissions 1st Substitute

    2/4/2026House

Bill Text

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