HB233 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chad Fincher
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Forestry Commission, administrative rules, violations pertaining to conduct of persons on land designated as state forest, penalties, Sec. 9-3-9 am'd.
Summary: HB233 would make violations of State Forestry Commission rules on state forest land a Class C misdemeanor and clarifies rulemaking and funding considerations.
What This Bill Does
The bill authorizes the State Forestry Commission to adopt and promulgate rules about forestry in Alabama, and those rules would have the force of law. It makes violations of rules governing conduct on state forest land a Class C misdemeanor. It defines state forest as land owned, leased, or held by the Commission and designated as a state forest, and it keeps existing rules in effect until the Commission amends them. It also notes that the bill creates a new crime and is exempt from certain local-funding requirements, with the law taking effect three months after governor approval.

Who It Affects
Members of the general public who visit or use state forest land would be subject to penalties for violating Commission rules.
The Alabama State Forestry Commission would gain explicit authority to create and enforce rules governing conduct on state forest lands, with penalties for violations.
Local governments are not required to fund changes under Amendment 621 for this bill because it creates a new crime, and the bill becomes effective after a specified delay.

Key Provisions
The Commission may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to all phases of forestry in the state, and those rules have the force of law.
Violations of rules pertaining to conduct on land designated as a state forest are made Class C misdemeanors.
State forest is defined as land owned, leased, or held by the Commission and designated as a state forest.
No additional rule violations may be promulgated without legislative enactment.
The bill is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Forestry Commission