HB77 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris PringleRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Trespassing, critical infrastructure, crime established, penalties

Summary

HB77 would create a new crime for unlawfully entering critical infrastructure, punished as a Class D felony.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure as a new crime, with four ways to commit it (entering without authority, using fraudulent identification, remaining after being forbidden, or entering a restricted area). It defines what counts as critical infrastructure and sets the penalty as a Class D felony. It also notes that the bill is exempt from local funding approval rules and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who enter or attempt to enter critical infrastructure without permission, use fraudulent IDs to gain access, remain after being told to leave, or enter restricted areas would be charged with a Class D felony.
• Owners, lessees, custodians of critical infrastructure and law enforcement/prosecutors would be responsible for enforcing the new law and prosecuting violations.

Key Provisions

• Creates the crime of unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure, punishable as a Class D felony.
• Defines 'critical infrastructure' to include facilities such as chemical plants, refineries, electrical power generation and transmission facilities, water intake and treatment facilities, natural gas transmission and LNG facilities, storage facilities for natural gas and hydrocarbons, and transportation facilities like ports and rail/trucking terminals.
• Specifies four ways to commit the crime: entering without authority into a protected critical infrastructure; using fraudulent documents for identification to enter; remaining on the premises after being forbidden; entering a restricted area that is clearly marked as restricted.
• States that, although the bill could affect local funds, it is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because it creates a new crime; it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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

Crimes and Offenses