HB222 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve HurstRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Mike BallRandy WoodDuwayne BridgesAlan BootheLynn Greer

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

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

Summary

The bill would extend Alabama's boat ID rules to boats and boat parts, making it illegal to falsify boat IDs or registrations and creating penalties and forfeiture procedures similar to those for motor vehicles.

What This Bill Does

It would prohibit the falsification or removal of an identification number or registration for a vessel, outboard motor, or vessel trailer. It would treat willful violations as Class A misdemeanors and apply penalties to those who buy, receive, possess, sell, or dispose of such items knowing the ID was altered. It would establish seizure and forfeiture procedures for items with altered IDs, allow recovery of property to the owner with proper documents, and specify how forfeited property and its proceeds may be used by law enforcement.

Who It Affects

• Boat owners, operators, buyers, sellers, and dealers of vessels, outboard motors, and vessel trailers who could face criminal penalties or forfeiture if IDs or registrations are falsified or altered.
• Law enforcement agencies and related government entities that would seize altered ID items, manage forfeitures, and allocate proceeds to enforcement purposes.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits falsifying or removing identification numbers or registrations on vessels, outboard motors, vessel trailers, or identifiable components.
• Creates Class A misdemeanor penalties for willfully removing or falsifying IDs and for dealing in altered ID parts when knowledge of the falsification exists.
• Defines key terms including falsify, identifiable component part, identification number, and remove.
• Allows identification numbers to be placed or restored by the manufacturer or the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and treats properly placed numbers as not falsified.
• Allows seizure of items with altered IDs for up to 72 hours to determine true identity, with written disposition notice to the owner within two days after the period.
• Provides for forfeiture of seized items, with options to retain, destroy, repair, or sell and to use proceeds for law enforcement purposes.
• Recovered stolen vessels may be returned to the owner with proper ownership documentation; if ownership is uncertain, disposition is determined by a court.
• The act does not require boats to obtain a title.

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