SB343 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

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

The bill makes it a Class C misdemeanor to violate certain State Forestry Commission rules about conduct on land designated as state forests.

What This Bill Does

It creates criminal penalties for violating specific administrative rules of the State Forestry Commission related to conduct on state forests. It affirmatively gives the Commission authority to adopt and enforce these rules, with violations carrying a Class C misdemeanor. It defines what counts as a state forest, and it clarifies that existing rules stay in effect until the Commission amends or repeals them. It also states the bill is exempt from certain local spending rules since it creates a new crime and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Visitors and users of state forests who must follow State Forestry Commission rules; violations could be charged as Class C misdemeanors.
• The State Forestry Commission and its enforcement partners, who would enforce the rules and prosecute violations.

Key Provisions

• Violations of certain administrative rules of the State Forestry Commission regarding conduct on land designated as a state forest become Class C misdemeanors.
• Defines 'state forest' as land owned, leased, or otherwise held by the commission and designated as state forest.
• Existing rules continue in effect until repealed or amended by the commission.
• The act is deemed to create a new crime, and is therefore exempt from Amendment 621 spending restrictions for local funds.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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 Commission