SB163 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 25, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Hinton Mitchem
Democrat
Co-Sponsor: T.D. “Ted” Little
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, Sec. 9-13-60 am'd.
Summary: SB163 makes unauthorized timber crimes Class A misdemeanors, adds a crime for falsifying weight readings of forest products, and defines 'forest products'.
What This Bill Does
It reclassifies unlawful acts involving timber and forest products (like cutting, removal, transport, sale, or purchase) as Class A misdemeanors with fines of $10 to $1,000 and jail time of 10 days to 12 months. It also creates a separate offense for altering a weight measuring device to give a false weight reading for forest products, punishable as a misdemeanor with similar penalties. The bill defines 'forest products' and notes the act would require new local funding, but it is exempt from local-expenditure rules due to exceptions in the Constitution; it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects
Individuals who unlawfully cut, remove, transport, buy, or sell timber or forest products without permission; they would face Class A misdemeanor penalties.
Utilities or electric service providers are exempt from the weight-reading provision (the false-weight crime does not apply to them or their agents).

Key Provisions
Unauthorized timber acts (cutting, removal, transport, purchase, sale) are Class A misdemeanors with fines from $10 to $1,000 and jail time from 10 days to 12 months.
Altering a weight measuring device to give a false reading of forest products is a crime (Class A misdemeanor) and punishable by the stated penalties; the measure excludes utilities engaged in electric service.

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