HB54 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy WoodRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

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

Summary

HB54 makes interference with public safety communications a new crime, assigns penalties, and allows seizure of related equipment.

What This Bill Does

It defines what counts as public safety communication (radio, electronic transmissions, telephone signals, or broadcasts used by law enforcement, fire services, 911, or emergency personnel). It makes it illegal to knowingly displace, damage, tamper with, destroy, or render inoperable equipment or lines used for these communications, including mass notification devices and data transmissions. It also covers operating devices that disrupt public safety communications or intercepting encrypted transmissions. Interference would be a Class C felony, with exemptions for certain authorized personnel, and it allows seizure or forfeiture of equipment; the act becomes effective a few months after passage.

Who It Affects

• Public safety agencies and their communications infrastructure (e.g., radio towers, dispatch systems, mass notification devices, and related lines) would be protected from interference.
• Individuals who knowingly interfere with public safety communications would face a Class C felony and could have equipment used in the interference seized or forfeited; certain authorized personnel and agencies have exemptions.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'public safety communication' to include radio, electronic transmissions, telephone communications, and broadcasts used by law enforcement, fire services, 911, or emergency personnel.
• Creates the offense of interference with public safety communication, listing acts such as damaging or tampering with equipment, disabling mass notification devices, interfering with data transmission, operating equipment that disrupts communications, and intercepting encrypted transmissions.
• Provides exemptions for certified law enforcement officers performing duties, authorized agency personnel, individuals with written permission from a responsible official, utility personnel, and wireless carrier employees under certain orders.
• Penalties include a Class C felony for interference; authorities must seize and can destroy or forfeit equipment used; the bill is exempt from certain local fund requirements (Amendment 621) and it becomes effective 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

Crimes and Offenses