SB490 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Nitrous oxide cartridges, sale of prohibited, criminal penalties, forfeiture

Summary

SB490 would ban nitrous oxide cartridges in Alabama, making their use, sale, delivery, or manufacture illegal and subject to penalties and forfeiture.

What This Bill Does

The bill makes it illegal to use, deliver, sell, possess with intent to deliver or sell, or manufacture nitrous oxide cartridges in the state. A violation would be a Class B misdemeanor. Nitrous oxide cartridges used in violations would be treated as contraband and could be forfeited. It also defines what counts as a nitrous oxide cartridge and notes when the law would take effect, including a constitutional exemption from local-funding requirements.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who use, possess with intent to use, or try to deliver/sell nitrous oxide cartridges would face criminal penalties and possible forfeiture.
• Retailers, distributors, and manufacturers of nitrous oxide cartridges would be prohibited from selling or producing them and could face penalties and forfeiture.
• Law enforcement and prosecutors would enforce the new illegalities and handle the forfeiture of contraband.
• Local government entities would be exempt from certain local-funding approval requirements before this law takes effect due to a constitutional exception.

Key Provisions

• Definition of nitrous oxide cartridge as a cartridge, charger, or canister containing nitrous oxide as a principal ingredient.
• Making it unlawful to use, deliver, sell, possess with intent to deliver or sell, or manufacture with intent to deliver or sell, or possess with intent to use a nitrous oxide cartridge.
• Treating nitrous oxide cartridges as contraband eligible for forfeiture.
• Setting the violation as a Class B misdemeanor.
• Exemption from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements because the bill creates/defines a new crime.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and gubernatorial approval (or when otherwise becoming law).

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