HB282 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Beckman

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Allen Farley

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Elections, certain elections, crimes or threats of crimes, or conspiracy to commit election crimes, Class C penalty, Sec. 17-5-18.1 added; Sec. 17-5-19 am'd.

Summary

HB282 would criminalize election-related threats, vandalism, and sign-tampering, create a new offense under the Fair Campaign Practices Act, and set penalties and enforcement rules.

What This Bill Does

It creates a new offense in 17-5-18.1 for election-related threats of physical or emotional harm, or damage to property related to an election; trespassing to steal or damage campaign signs; and conspiring to commit these acts. It then amends 17-5-19 to make general violations of the chapter Class A misdemeanors, and specifically makes violations of 17-5-18.1 a Class C felony, with additional civil penalties for late or incorrect campaign reporting. It also sets penalties for reporting violations, outlines how penalties are distributed (county or state funds), and provides prosecution, venue, and statute-of-limitations rules. The bill notes an exemption from local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 and specifies an effective date after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who threaten, trespass on property, or conspire to damage campaign signs or threaten people in elections (they could face Class C felonies or related charges).
• Campaign committees, candidates, and political action committees that must file reports and could face civil penalties for late or incorrect reporting.

Key Provisions

• Section 17-5-18.1 adds three offenses: (1) threatening or inflicting physical or emotional harm, or damaging property related to an election; (2) trespassing to steal or damage campaign signs; (3) conspiring to commit (1) or (2).
• Section 17-5-19 is amended to treat violations of 17-5-18.1 as Class C felonies; general violations of the chapter remain Class A misdemeanors; reporting violations carry Class A misdemeanor penalties; civil penalties for reporting failures include specific dollar amounts and percentages, with funds distributed to local or state accounts.
• Prosecution, venue, and time limits are defined (prosecutors may be the Attorney General or district attorney; venue in the county where the violation occurred or the violator resides/incorporated; most violations have a two-year limit, with 17-5-7 offenses allowed four years).
• Section 3 notes the bill is exempt from Amendment 621’s local-funding rules because it prescribes minimum compensation for public officials; Section 4 sets the effective date (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

Elections