SB150 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 25, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Bryan Taylor
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Telecommunications, eavesdropping, crime expanded to include unauthorized access to personal telecommunication devices, to provide exceptions for certain activity related to utility service, Secs. 13A-11-30, 13A-11-31, 13A-11-33, 13A-11-34 am'd.; Sec. 13A-11-36.1 added
Summary: SB150 broadens Alabama's eavesdropping laws to cover using eavesdropping devices to access or intercept communications on personal cell phones and adds related definitions, with a utility-data carve-out and a local-fund expenditure note.
What This Bill Does
It expands the crimes of installing an eavesdropping device and criminal possession of an eavesdropping device to include using an eavesdropping device to access or intercept communications on a personal telecommunication device (such as a cell phone). The bill adds definitions for eavesdrop, eavesdropping device, personal telecommunication device, and private place, and clarifies what counts as private place. It creates a new rule (Section 13A-11-36.1) that excludes certain activity related to gathering or using information from utility services from being criminalized under these laws. Penalties are set so that installing an eavesdropping device in a private place or on a personal device with the intention of eavesdropping is a Class C felony, while criminal eavesdropping and criminal possession of an eavesdropping device are Class A misdemeanors; the bill also notes a local-funds exemption because it creates a new crime.

Who It Affects
Individuals who own or use personal telecommunication devices (like cell phones) could be criminally liable if they use such devices to access or intercept communications without the owner's or user's consent.
People who install, possess, transport, or otherwise handle eavesdropping devices (in private places or within personal devices) could be charged under new crimes.

Key Provisions
Expands eavesdropping crimes to include using an eavesdropping device to access or intercept communications on a personal telecommunication device.
Adds definitions for eavesdrop, eavesdropping device, personal telecommunication device, private place, and surveillance.
Adds Section 13A-11-36.1 to exclude certain utility-related information gathering from criminal provisions.
Defines penalties: installing an eavesdropping device in a private place or on a personal device is a Class C felony; criminal eavesdropping and criminal possession of an eavesdropping device are Class A misdemeanors.
Notes that the bill creates a new crime, and is exempt from local-funds requirements under Amendment 621.

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