HB263 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy WoodRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Crimes and offenses, public safety communications, interference with, crime established, interferences with a public safety communication or damage to equipment, penalties

Summary

HB263 would create a new crime—interfering with public safety communications—and make it a Class C felony in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It defines public safety communication and lists actions that count as interference (damaging equipment, disabling mass notification devices, disrupting data transmissions, or intercepting encrypted transmissions). It makes interference with public safety communication a Class C felony and allows seizure or forfeiture of equipment used. It provides exemptions for certain law enforcement personnel and agency staff acting in official duties or with written permission. It becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who knowingly damage, tamper with, or disrupt public safety communications could be charged with a Class C felony.
• Public safety agencies and equipment owners would be protected and could have equipment seized or forfeited if used in violations; some agency personnel are exempt when acting in official duties or with permission.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'public safety communication' as radio signals or transmissions used by law enforcement, fire, or emergency services.
• Lists acts that constitute interference: damaging or removing equipment, disrupting mass notification devices, interfering with data transmissions, operating equipment that interferes, or intercepting encrypted transmissions.
• Exempts certain officials and agency personnel from penalties when acting in official duties or with written permission.
• Allows law enforcement to seize and destroy or forfeit equipment used in the offense.
• Sets the offense as a Class C felony.
• Excludes the bill from requiring new local funding under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime, and states the act takes effect after the specified waiting period.

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