SB123 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Game hunting, permits for broadcast, spincast, and container feeders authorized under certain conditions, permits, fees, penalties, Secs. 9-11-244 and 9-11-245 not to apply

Summary

SB123 would allow voluntary year-round feeding of game with a permit system for spincast, broadcast, or container feeders, including fees, penalties, and funding changes.

What This Bill Does

It legalizes feeding of game feeders year-round, but only if the feeder has a valid permit. Each feeder requires its own $50 annual permit, valid for one calendar year, with initial permits available Aug 1–Oct 15 after enactment and subsequent renewals Feb 1–Mar 15. Permit fees are split: 75% to the Game and Fish Fund and 25% to the General Fund; permits are issued by county officials and records are public. Violations are a misdemeanor with a $300–$500 fine per violation; the act allows emergency suspensions and supersedes certain existing regulations when activities comply with it; participation is voluntary.

Who It Affects

• Hunters who choose to feed game: must obtain a separate permit for each feeder, pay the annual $50 fee, and comply with recordkeeping and penalties.
• County license issuing officials and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: issue permits, maintain records, issue decals, and oversee the program; funds are distributed to the Game and Fish Fund and the General Fund.

Key Provisions

• The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may allow feeding of game by spincast, broadcast, or container feeders and will issue permits for these feeders each year for the full year.
• A separate permit is required for each feeder; permits are issued for one calendar year, must be signed, and a numbered decal is placed on the feeder; the issuing official keeps records which are public.
• Permit cost is $50 per feeder per year; initial permits may be purchased Aug 1–Oct 15 after enactment, with subsequent purchases Feb 1–Mar 15 each year.
• 75% of collected fees go to the Game and Fish Fund; 25% go to the state General Fund.
• A violation constitutes a misdemeanor with a fine of $300–$500 per violation.
• The act supersedes conflicting provisions (Sections 9-11-244 and 9-11-245, and Rule 220-2-.157) for activity under this act.
• Hunters may participate voluntarily; the State Veterinarian and other officials may suspend the program in case of disease or outbreak.
• The bill is deemed to create a new crime/alter the definition of an existing crime for Amendment 621 purposes, and is thus exempt from local expenditure requirements.
• The act becomes effective immediately upon the governor's 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

Conservation and Natural Resources Department