HB318 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Charles O. Newton
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Timber and forest products, crime of willful removal of timber and other forest products by deception, Class A misdemeanor, Sec. 9-13-60 am'd.
Summary: HB318 adds removal of timber or forest products by deception to Alabama law, making it a Class A misdemeanor.
What This Bill Does
It amends Section 9-13-60 to make removing timber or forest products from someone else’s property by deception an unlawful act. Violations are punishable as Class A misdemeanors under existing penalties. The bill also exempts electric utilities and their employees, contractors, or agents acting within the scope of their work. It also notes the measure is exempt from certain local-funding requirements because it creates or amends a crime.

Who It Affects
Timber owners/landowners and timber-related businesses: removal by deception of timber or forest products on their property becomes illegal and punishable.
Electric utilities and their employees, contractors, or agents: exempt from this provision.

Key Provisions
Adds 9-13-60(a)(7): it is unlawful to remove timber or forest products of another by deception (as defined in 13A-8-1).
Violations are Class A misdemeanors and punished under existing law.
Excludes electric utilities and their employees/agents acting within the course of employment from this section.
Section 2 states the act is excluded from local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
Section 3 sets the act to become effective on the first day of the third month after 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