SB66 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Greg J. Reed
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Crimes and offenses, criminal tampering in the first degree to include threatening an individual with a deadly weapon or instrument or dangerous animal with intent to obstruct operation of a utility, Sec. 13A-7-24, 13A-7-25 am'd.
Summary: SB66 expands Alabama's criminal tampering law to include threats to utility workers and creates a first-degree offense with a Class C felony.
What This Bill Does
The bill defines tamper, property, and utility for the purpose of these offenses. It creates a first-degree criminal tampering offense with two triggers: (1) intentionally causing substantial interruption or impairment of a public utility service without right or reasonable ground, and (2) threatening a utility worker with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument to obstruct the utility's operation, provided the worker is acting within their duties and properly identified. The offense carries a Class C felony penalty and applies to both publicly and privately owned utilities (like gas, electricity, water, etc.).

Who It Affects
Utility workers and contractors: protected when performing duties; threats or interference can lead to felony charges.
Utility companies (public or private) and their services: subject to the clarified definitions and potential criminal penalties for tampering or interruptions.
General public/consumers: may experience more reliable utility services due to harsher penalties for tampering and interruptions.

Key Provisions
Defines tamper, property, and utility, and clarifies these definitions for sections 13A-7-25 and 13A-7-26.
Creates criminal tampering in the first degree with two triggers: substantial interruption/impairment of a public utility service, or threatening a utility worker with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument to obstruct operation (when the worker is performing duties and identified). Class C felony.

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