AlabamaAlabama law sets rules for bond forms, companies, and apprentices
Starting October 1, 2026, Alabama law requires bond forms to include agent authority documents and sets rules for company ownership, court reports, and apprentices.
What it does
Each bail bond form must include an original document from the surety company naming the agents allowed to bind it and any limits on their authority.
After a judge authorizes bond companies, circuit clerks must list the companies, their owners, and certain overdue court debts, then send the list to the judge and state board.
A bondsman must have at least three years of licensing before owning a professional surety or bail company. A limited exception applies if the owner dies or becomes completely incapacitated.
The board must email licensees by September 1 each year to remind them that renewals are due September 30. A late application carries a $125 fee.
A 19- or 20-year-old apprentice must complete an eight-hour course before the apprentice license expires. The board must approve the course provider, and the course must be free to the apprentice.
Argument forLists of authorized companies, owners, and overdue court debts could help judges and the state board see which companies owe money.
Argument againstA required eight-hour course could take extra time for 19- and 20-year-old apprentices before their apprentice license expires.
More detail
The Alabama Supreme Court must require a qualifying power of attorney with each bail bond form. The requirement applies to bail bond forms used in Alabama. The original document must come from a professional surety company, name the agents allowed to bind it, and state any limits on their authority. The act takes effect October 1, 2026.
Circuit clerks must prepare and send a list of authorized bond companies. The duty applies to circuit clerks in counties where professional surety or bail companies receive authorization to operate. The list must name each company and its owners, and include final forfeitures and bond posting fees owed to the court that are more than 30 days past due. The clerk must send the list to the presiding judge and the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board. The clerk must prepare the list within 30 days after the presiding circuit judge issues the authorization order. The act takes effect October 1, 2026.
A bondsman may not own a professional surety or bail company until licensed for at least three years. The rule applies to ownership of a professional surety company or professional bail company. If the owner dies or becomes completely incapacitated, as determined by the board, the company may be sold to an unlicensed person. That buyer has 90 calendar days from purchase to get a license and must employ at least one person licensed for three consecutive years. The act takes effect October 1, 2026. Under the death or incapacity exception, an unlicensed buyer has 90 calendar days from purchase to get a license.
The board must email licensees a renewal reminder, and a late renewal application incurs a $125 fee. The rules cover licensees renewing under the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board. The reminder must state that the renewal application is due by September 30. The board must send the reminder on or before September 1 each year. The act takes effect October 1, 2026.
An apprentice who is 19 or 20 must complete an eight-hour instructional course before the apprentice license expires. This applies to 19- and 20-year-old apprentices holding a board-issued apprentice license. The course must be conducted by an educational provider approved by the board and provided at no cost to the apprentice. The course must be completed before the apprentice license expires. The act takes effect October 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 16EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 9Brown motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1344Major
- Vote recorded Brown motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1344. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 9Ready to Enroll
- Apr 9EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 9Signature Requested
- Apr 9Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 8Judiciary 1st Amendment Offered (Judiciary)Minor
- Vote recorded Sessions motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1276. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1277. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Sessions motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1275. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 8Sessions motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1275Major
- Apr 8Sessions 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 8Sessions motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1276Major
- Apr 8Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1277Passed Senate
- Mar 11Judiciary 1st Amendment (Judiciary)
- Mar 11Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Mar 11Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Judiciary)Minor
- Feb 26Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 625. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 627. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 626. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 26Boards, Agencies and Commissions 1st Substitute Offered (Boards, Agencies and Commissions)Minor
- Feb 26Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 625Major
- Feb 26Ingram 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Feb 26Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 626Major
- Feb 26Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 627Passed House
- Feb 26Engrossed
- Feb 26Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 26Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)
- Feb 5Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Boards, Agencies and Commissions)Minor
- Feb 4Boards, Agencies and Commissions 1st Substitute (Boards, Agencies and Commissions)
- Feb 4Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 21Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Boards, Agencies and CommissionsMinor
- Jan 21Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Boards, Agencies and Commissions)Introduced
Criminal JusticeGovernment & Ethics