SB81 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Jul 25, 2021

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Underwater Cultural Resources Act, definition of cultural resources amended to specify articles associated with shipwrecks, artifacts defined, recovery of abandoned artifacts not cultural resources in certain locations authorized, Secs. 41-9-291, 41-9-292 am'd.
Description: Under existing law, the Alabama Cultural Resources Act prohibits the salvaging of cultural resources from the waters of this state except with a permit. The term "cultural resource" is broadly defined to include underwater items on lands under navigable waters whether or not associated with a shipwreck. A violation of this act is a criminal offense.
This bill would amend the definition of cultural resources to specify cultural resources are those found with any shipwreck, would add a definition for artifacts, and would provide that it would be lawful to recover abandoned artifacts which are not cultural resources from submerged lands that are under navigable rivers in this state.
Subjects: Underwater Cultural Resources

Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Energy and Natural Resources