SB49 Alabama 2015 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2015

Title

Terrorism, forfeiture of property derived from, authorization of claims by injured parties and law enforcement, allocation of proceeds from forfeiture, civil action for damages, limitations

Summary

SB49 would expand civil liability for terrorism injuries, authorize forfeiture of property tied to terrorism, and let injured parties and investigators claim costs or damages from forfeited property, with proceeds distributed to paying agencies and victims.

What This Bill Does

It creates civil forfeiture of all property used in or derived from acts of terrorism. It lets a person injured by terrorism and law enforcement agencies or private entities involved in the investigation file claims for costs or damages to be paid from the forfeited property. It establishes how forfeiture proceeds are allocated, prioritizing investigation costs and then paying other claimants, with any remaining funds used to satisfy judgments for injuries; it also allows an injured person to sue the perpetrator for damages, with a five-year limit from discovery. It also establishes new filing fees for these claims and sets protections for innocent owners and certain security interests.

Who It Affects

• People injured by acts of terrorism, who can file claims for costs or damages to be paid from forfeited property and may sue the perpetrator for damages.
• Law enforcement agencies and private entities involved in terrorism investigations, who can file claims for costs or damages and may receive portions of the forfeiture proceeds.

Key Provisions

• Forfeiture of all property used in the course of or derived from acts of terrorism, making such property subject to civil forfeiture to the state or a private entity.
• Authorized claims process for injured persons and involved agencies/private entities to recover costs or damages from forfeited property, with a defined priority and distribution framework for proceeds.
• New filing fees based on the amount in controversy, with funds allocated to the Presiding Circuit Judge's Judicial Administration Fund and specific distribution rules for investigation and prosecution costs.
• Damages provisions and time limits: injured individuals may sue the perpetrator for damages (five-year limitation from discovery), with protections for innocent owners and certain interests, and a defined effective date for the act.

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