HB346 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Harry Shiver

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Alan Baker

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Beverages, soda water or soft drinks, removal or tampering with product code, containers deemed misbranded, Sec. 20-1-25.1 added

Summary

HB346 would make tampering with the product code on soda water or soft drinks illegal by treating such containers as misbranded and creating criminal penalties.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a new rule that a container is misbranded if its product code has been removed or tampered with. It establishes criminal penalties for tampering with the product code. It states that this new crime is exempt from the local-funding rules in Amendment 621, meaning it is not required to get a 2/3 vote or local approval for funding. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is enacted into law.

Who It Affects

• Manufacturers and packagers of soda water or other soft drinks who might remove or tamper with product codes (they would be criminally liable if tampering occurs).
• Regulatory agencies and law enforcement responsible for enforcing the new misbranding rule and pursuing penalties, as well as retailers who handle affected products.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 20-1-25.1 to declare that a container of soda water or other soft drink or beverage is misbranded if the product code on the container has been removed or tampered with.
• Creates criminal penalties for tampering with the product code on such beverages.
• Contains a note that, although the bill would normally affect local expenditures, it is treated as creating a new crime and is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month following passage and the Governor's approval.

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

Subjects

Agriculture and Industries Department