HB340 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim CarnsRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Wes LongBarry MooreApril WeaverDan WilliamsWilliam RobertsKerry RichK.L. BrownRod ScottJohn W. RogersArthur PayneAllen TreadawayRichard BaughnBecky NordgrenDavid SessionsJuandalynn GivanAllen FarleyMark TugglePaul BeckmanDaniel H. BomanWayne JohnsonKen JohnsonJohn MerrillKurt WallaceMac ButtramBlaine GalliherMicky HammonPhil WilliamsJeremy OdenJohnny Mack MorrowPatricia ToddJohn RobinsonMerika ColemanSteve HurstAlan HarperMike MillicanOliver RobinsonChris EnglandRalph HowardTodd GreesonRandy DavisHoward SanderfordBarry MaskRandy WoodJim McClendonAlan BakerHarry ShiverDickie DrakeJack WilliamsMike BallMac McCutcheonMike HillBarbara Bigsby Boyd

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Crime of Looting, established, penalties, violation would be Class C felony

Summary

HB340 creates the crime of looting during a state of emergency, with a Class C felony penalty and defined conditions.

What This Bill Does

Defines looting as intentionally entering without authorization a building or real property during a state of emergency and taking, damaging, or removing someone else’s property. Expands 'building' to include structures, vehicles, aircraft, railcars, and other transport used for lodging or business; a state of emergency covers various disasters and conditions. Looting would be punished as a Class C felony, and the charge can accompany other offenses. The bill says it is not subject to local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime, and it becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Potential looters: would face a Class C felony if they illegally enter during a state of emergency and take, damage, or remove property.
• Property owners and communities in Alabama: stronger protection and enforcement against looting during emergencies.

Key Provisions

• Creates a new crime called looting.
• Looting definition: intentionally enters without authorization any building or real property during a state of emergency and obtains, exerts control over, damages, or removes property.
• Definitions: 'building' includes structures, vehicles, aircraft, rail cars, and other transport; multi-unit buildings may be treated as separate units.
• State of emergency definition includes disasters and other events causing extreme danger or disruption.
• Penalty: looting is a Class C felony.
• Prosecution not exclusive: offense can be charged with other offenses as well.
• Amendment 621 exemption: not subject to local-funding requirements because it creates a new crime.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

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

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses