SB452 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bryan Taylor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Timber and forest products, willful removal of timber and other forest products by deception and failure to disclose to owner quantity and type of timber harvested and owner not compensated for all timber designated Class A misdemeanor, Sec. 9-13-60 am'd.; Act 2010-704, 2010 Reg. Sess. am'd.

Summary

SB452 tightens Alabama's timber theft laws by adding deception in removal and pay-per-unit purchases as criminal offenses, making these acts Class A misdemeanors.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 9-13-60 to include deceptive removal of timber or forest products and to require disclosure of the actual quantity and type in pay-per-unit purchases, ensuring the owner is compensated for all harvested timber. Violations are designated as Class A misdemeanors. It also includes an exemption for electric utilities and their employees acting within the scope of their duties, and states the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval (with a note about local-funds provisions).

Who It Affects

• Timber owners and landowners, who would be protected from unauthorized taking and deception and would be compensated for harvested timber if applicable.
• Harvesters, transporters, sellers, and buyers of timber and forest products (including pay-per-unit purchasers), who would be subject to new criminal penalties for deception or failure to disclose quantities, with electric utilities and their employees exempt when acting in their official duties.

Key Provisions

• Adds deception-based removal of timber and failure to disclose quantity/type in pay-per-unit purchases as unlawful acts under Section 9-13-60, with violations classified as Class A misdemeanors.
• Provides exemptions for electric utilities and their employees/agents, and sets the act's effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and 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

Forestry