HB405 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chad Fincher
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Timber and forest products, altering a weight measuring device prohibited, penalties, unauthorized cutting, removal, transportation, sale, or purchase of timber and other forest products designated Class A misdemeanor, exception for electric utility workers, Sec. 9-13-60 am'd.
Summary: HB405 adds penalties for timber crimes and creates a new offense for falsifying timber weight readings, while defining 'forest products' and providing an exemption for electric utility workers.
What This Bill Does
1) It makes it unlawful to cut, remove, transport, purchase, or sell timber or forest products without the owner's permission. 2) It adds a new offense for knowingly causing a weight measuring device to give a false reading about the weight of timber or forest products, intended to deceive. 3) If convicted of the weight-reading offense, it would be a Class A misdemeanor with a fine of $10 to $1,000 and possible imprisonment of 10 days to 12 months in county jail (potential hard labor). 4) It defines forest products to include timber, trees, logs, lumber, pine straw, woody biomass, and other forest products located on land in Alabama, public or private, and it excludes electric utility workers and their employees or agents acting within the course of their employment.

Who It Affects
Individuals or businesses that unlawfully cut, remove, transport, purchase, or sell timber or forest products on land in Alabama (public or private) would face the penalties outlined in the act.
Electric utility workers and their employees, contractors, agents, or representatives acting within the scope of their employment are exempt from these penalties.

Key Provisions
Adds a new offense in Section 9-13-60 for knowingly causing a weight measuring device to give a false reading of timber or forest products.
Defines 'forest products' to include timber, trees, logs, lumber, pine straw, woody biomass, and other forest products located on land in Alabama, whether public or private.
Exempts electric utility workers and their employees, contractors, agents, or representatives acting within the course of their employment from these penalties.
Establishes penalties as Class A misdemeanor with a fine of $10-$1,000 and imprisonment of 10 days to 12 months in county jail (including potential hard labor).
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Forestry