HB561 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David SessionsSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Jamie IsonRandy DavisJim BartonWayne Johnson

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Liens on vessels, may attach to watercraft or vessel regardless of domicile of owner or home port of vessel, Sec. 35-11-60 am'd.

Summary

This bill expands Alabama lien law so a lien can attach to any watercraft (called a vessel) regardless of owner domicile or home port.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 35-11-60 to create a lien on ships, steamboats, vessels, or other watercraft built, repaired, fitted, furnished, supplied, or victualed in Alabama, including for wages of crew and for wharfage and dockage. The lien attaches to the vessel regardless of the owner's domicile and regardless of whether the home port is in Alabama. The lien has priority over other liens for debts contracted by or owing from the owners and can be asserted in any court. The act defines 'vessel' to refer to watercraft and sets an effective date (first day of the third month after passage and governor approval).

Who It Affects

• Watercraft owners and operators in Alabama, whose vessels could have liens placed on them regardless of the owner's domicile or the vessel's home port.
• Service providers and workers who build, repair, furnish, supply, victual, or otherwise work on watercraft in Alabama (such as masters, laborers, stevedores, shipkeepers, and wharfage/dockage providers), who would have a lien on the vessel for their debts.

Key Provisions

• Liens on watercraft (ships, steamboats, vessels, or other watercraft) built, repaired, fitted, furnished, supplied, or victualed in Alabama, for work done, materials provided, wages, and wharfage/dockage, with priority over other liens.
• The lien attaches regardless of the owner's domicile or the vessel's home port, defines 'vessel' to include watercraft, and specifies the lien may be asserted in any court of competent jurisdiction with the act taking effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Liens