HB325 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Ball

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Randy WoodRichard J. Laird

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Boats, including outboard motors and parts, vessel trailer, identification numbers and registration, altering prohibited, penalties including illegal possession, forfeiture

Summary

HB325 would criminalize falsifying or removing boat identification numbers or registrations, with penalties and forfeiture rules modeled after those for motor vehicles, plus seizure and disposal mechanisms for such items.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits willfully removing or falsifying identification numbers on vessels, outboard motors, vessel trailers, or related parts. It also makes it illegal to buy, receive, possess, sell, or dispose of such items if you know the ID has been removed or falsified. Offenses are Class A misdemeanors, with enforcement powers to seize altered items for up to 72 hours to determine true identity and potential forfeiture if ownership cannot be shown. Recovered stolen property can be returned to the owner with proper documents, and proceeds from forfeited items may go to law enforcement funds; the bill also clarifies that boats do not need to have a title under its provisions. It includes protections for good-faith enforcement, and provides specific forfeiture and disposal procedures.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who willfully remove or falsify vessel identification numbers or Registration information, or who possess, buy, or sell such items knowing the ID has been removed or falsified (Class A misdemeanor effects).
• Boat owners, insurers, and law enforcement or government agencies involved in recovery, seizure, forfeiture, or disposition of affected vessels, motors, trailers, or parts.
• Local governments and funding authorities, due to local expenditure considerations related to the bill’s impact and the explicit amendments regarding funding.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits willful removal or falsification of identification numbers on a vessel, outboard motor, vessel trailer, or related parts; constitutes a Class A misdemeanor.
• Prohibits buying, receiving, possessing, selling, or disposing of such items with knowledge that the ID has been removed or falsified; constitutes a Class A misdemeanor.
• Allows seizure of items with altered IDs for up to 72 hours to determine true identity; ownership unknown items may be forfeited; owners can be notified of disposition within two days after seizure.
• Recovered stolen property can be returned to the owner with proper ownership documentation; exports of ownership docs may include IDs, purchase documents, or registration papers.
• Establishes forfeiture procedures and permits use of proceeds for law enforcement purposes; restricts use of funds to appropriated purposes.
• States that boats, vessel trailers, and related parts do not require a title under this act; includes definitions for falsify, identifiable component part, and identification number.
• Excludes civil liability for governmental agencies or officials acting in good faith under this section; grants authority for official use, destruction, or sale of forfeited property.
• Effective date is January 1 following passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Criminal Law and Procedure