SB269 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

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

SB269 extends the motor vehicle ID and anti-theft framework to boats and vessel trailers, making it illegal to falsify or remove identification numbers and establishing penalties and forfeiture rules.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits removing or altering identification numbers on vessels, outboard motors, trailers, or related parts, and makes it illegal to possess, sell, or dispose of such items if the ID has been removed or falsified. Violations can lead to Class A misdemeanor penalties and forfeiture of the items, with procedures for seizure and handling by authorities. The bill also sets rules for how IDs may be placed or restored, outlines seizure and ownership procedures, and provides for disposition of forfeited property to support law enforcement efforts; it becomes effective January 1 after passage, and is treated as exempt from local-funding-new-expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime.

Who It Affects

• Boat owners, vessel owners, and anyone who owns, buys, sells, or handles vessels, outboard motors, trailers, or related parts, who would be subject to penalties and potential forfeiture if IDs are removed or falsified.
• Law enforcement and government agencies responsible for enforcing the new rules, seizing and forfeiting property, and determining ownership and disposition of seized items.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits falsification or alteration of identification numbers on a vessel, outboard motor, vessel trailer, or identifiable components, and prohibits possessing, selling, or disposing of such items knowing that an ID has been removed or falsified.
• Imposes Class A misdemeanor penalties for willfully removing or falsifying IDs and for buyers/sellers who knowingly handle such items, with detailed forfeiture procedures and potential disposition of forfeited property for law enforcement purposes.
• Defines key terms (Falsify, Identifiable Component Part, Identification Number, Remove) and clarifies that IDs placed by manufacturers or restored under DNRC authorization are not considered falsified.
• Allows seizure of items with altered IDs for up to 72 hours to determine identity, requires written notice to the owner, and governs forfeiture and disposition of seized property.
• Provides for return of recovered stolen property to the rightful owner with proper documentation and outlines conditions under which ownership disputes are resolved by courts.
• Establishes that government officials acting in good faith are not subject to civil liability under this section and describes how forfeited property proceeds are used to support law enforcement.
• Includes a provision that the act is exempt from Amendment 621 local-expenditure requirements because it creates a new crime or amends an existing crime, and sets an effective date of January 1 following 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

Criminal Law and Procedure