SB81 Alabama 2012 Session

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.

Summary

SB81 narrows Alabama's Underwater Cultural Resources Act to focus on shipwreck-related resources and allows lawful recovery of abandoned artifacts that are not cultural resources from submerged lands under navigable rivers.

What This Bill Does

It changes how 'cultural resources' are defined, tying them to abandoned shipwrecks and related underwater items that have remained unclaimed for 50 years (with certain exclusions and eligibility for historic registers). It adds a formal definition of artifacts as any man-made object. It creates a lawful path to recover abandoned artifacts that are not considered cultural resources from submerged lands under navigable rivers in Alabama. It preserves the permit/contract system for cultural resources, requiring prior written approval by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources and action by the Alabama Historical Commission as the custodian.

Who It Affects

• Salvage operators, archaeologists, and contractors who work in Alabama’s state waters and navigable rivers, who would have clearer rules about what counts as a cultural resource and when abandoned artifacts can be recovered.
• The Alabama Historical Commission and other state agencies that regulate underwater salvage, as they continue to oversee permits, contracts, and compliance for cultural resource work.

Key Provisions

• Definition change: Cultural resources are defined as abandoned shipwrecks and remains, plus underwater artifacts and other cultural items on submerged state lands that have remained unclaimed for 50+ years, with exclusions (e.g., sunken logs, cants, timber) and eligibility criteria for national or state historic registers.
• Artifact definition: Artifacts are defined as any man-made object.
• Recovery of non-cultural artifacts: It would be lawful to recover abandoned artifacts that are not cultural resources from submerged lands under navigable rivers in Alabama.
• Permits and oversight: Cultural resources cannot be taken, damaged, or salvaged without a prior contract or permit from the Alabama Historical Commission, with required approval from the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Underwater Cultural Resources