SB430 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mark Slade Blackwell

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Vessels, certificate of title, uniform act, requirements, issuance by State Law Enforcement Agency, security agreement, perfection

Summary

The bill would adopt the Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act in Alabama, requiring vessel owners to obtain a title and establishing how titles and security interests are issued, recorded, and managed.

What This Bill Does

It requires owners to obtain a certificate of title for their vessel from the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and sets an application process with a $50 issuance fee. It creates procedures to perfect and record security interests in vessels, and to maintain and access title records, including both electronic and written titles and branding such as Hull Damaged. It applies starting January 1, 2017, with certain exemptions for documented or foreign-documented vessels, barges, vessels under construction, and dealer-held vessels, and it sets transfer, replacement, and termination rules for titles and security interests.

Who It Affects

• Vessel owners (owners of record) and transferees – must apply for and hold a certificate of title, provide required information, and comply with transfer, renewal, and branding rules.
• Secured parties (lenders) and buyers in ordinary course of business – security interests in vessels must be perfected through the title system, with rules for adding releases, transfers, and priority protections for purchasers.

Key Provisions

• Adopts the Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act, authorizing the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to issue certificates of title for vessels and establishing an issuance fee.
• Creates a formal process to perfect and record security interests in vessels through the title system, including adding or releasing security interests on titles and priority rules for purchasers and lien creditors.
• Defines contents and formats of certificates of title (written and electronic), including required owner and secured party information, title brands (e.g., Hull Damaged), and procedures for replacement certificates and transfer-by-law transfers.
• Sets timeframes and exemptions for applications (e.g., within 20 days after transfer or principal use), requires records maintenance (including 10-year retention for security interests), and establishes penalties for noncompliance with Hull Damaged branding.

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

Subjects

Vessels