SB181 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Environmental Management Department, civil penalties for violations, minimum penalty amount deleted, Sec. 22-22A-5 am'd.

Summary

SB181 would remove the statutory minimum civil penalties for environmental violations issued by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 22-22A-5 to delete the minimum penalty amounts, removing the floor on penalties for violations. Penalties would still be subject to maximum caps (up to $25,000 per violation and up to $250,000 per order) and other enforcement provisions, with the department and commission continuing to enforce and collect penalties. Costs recoverable by the department or Attorney General, and penalties collected, would still be deposited into the state’s funds as described in the law.

Who It Affects

• Environmental violators (businesses, organizations, or individuals) who commit violations, as there is no statutory minimum penalty floor for penalties assessed.
• The Alabama Department of Environmental Management and Environmental Management Commission, which would continue to administer, enforce, and collect penalties under the amended law.

Key Provisions

• Deletes the minimum penalty amounts in Section 22-22A-5.
• Retains maximum penalty caps (up to $25,000 per violation and up to $250,000 per order) and the overall civil penalty enforcement framework, including cost recovery and penalties being deposited to the State Treasury.

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

Subjects

Environmental Management Department