HB31 Alabama 2015 2nd Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Beckman

Republican

Session

Second Special Session 2015

Title

Monuments, Alabama Heritage Protection Act, prohibit removal, alteration, or other disturbance of any statue or monument located on public property, exempt Transportation Department

Summary

HB31 would create the Alabama Heritage Preservation Act to protect monuments and similar objects on public property, restrict changes, set up a waiver process, and impose penalties for violations (with certain exemptions).

What This Bill Does

It prohibits relocating, removing, altering, renaming, or otherwise disturbing commemorative objects on public property and prohibits hindering maintenance efforts to protect them. It allows the Alabama Legislative Council to grant waivers in certain cases through a formal deliberative process certified by the Alabama Historical Commission. It establishes a process with resolutions, public hearings, newspaper notices, site signage, and input from heritage groups and the public, and requires a petition and certification before a waiver; removing an object without a waiver could trigger a $100,000 fine. It provides exemptions for certain art and artifacts, and objects controlled by the Department of Transportation or local highway departments under limited circumstances, with an emphasis on preservation.

Who It Affects

• Public governmental bodies (state, county, and municipal agencies) that maintain statues, monuments, plaques, or grave sites on public property, who would be restricted from relocating or altering them without a waiver and could face penalties if they remove an object without approval.
• The general public, heritage and preservation groups, genealogical organizations, and other interested parties who would participate in the waiver deliberative process (hearings, input, and public comment) and influence decisions on preservation needs.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Heritage Preservation Act of 2015 and defines terms like 'object of remembrance' and 'public property'.
• Prohibits relocation, removal, alteration, renaming, or disturbance of objects of remembrance on public property and bans renaming of schools, streets, bridges, buildings, parks, preserves, or reserves on public property, with limited exceptions.
• Declares that no one may prevent the responsible governmental entity from taking steps to protect, preserve, care for, repair, or restore these objects.
• Authorizes the Alabama Legislative Council to grant waivers from these rules through a deliberative process certified by the Alabama Historical Commission, including required hearings, notices, and input collection.
• Requires a written petition and certification by the Alabama Historical Commission; the Legislative Council may impose conditions or deny waivers.
• Imposes a $100,000 fine for removal of an object without obtaining a waiver, with funds directed to the State General Fund.
• Provides exemptions from certain provisions for art and artifacts in museums, archives, and libraries; and for objects controlled by the Department of Transportation or local highway departments under limited circumstances with a preservation expectation.
• Effective immediately upon the Governor's signature.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Monuments