Sen. Will Barfoot’s SB 117 is in position to pass the Alabama House, the last step it needs before going to the governor for her signature. SB 117 would end the practice of suspending driver’s licenses for failure to pay fines and fees. It would be an important step toward a more just and inclusive Alabama, and the House could vote on it as soon as today.

But with the 2022 regular session expected to end this week, time is growing short, and the bill needs to take this last step quickly. Your representative needs to hear from you that they should support SB 117.

Alabamians deserve a justice system based on proportionality. But the state falls far short of that standard in many ways. One of those ways is suspending driver’s licenses just because people are unable to pay fines and fees levied against them.

Alabama funds a significant portion of its court systems through fines and fees. This regressive funding structure has resulted in fines of hundreds of dollars for something as minor as an expired tag. When people can’t pay those high fines and fees, the state can suspend their driver’s license. This can cost people their jobs and their ability to provide for their families. It also can result in further legal trouble for people who must continue driving to work to earn money to pay off the fines.

SB 117 would take a significant step toward creating a more sensible fine and fee system by eliminating a practice that punishes people for a lack of financial resources. See below to contact your representative TODAY and ask them to vote YES on SB 117.

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