HB466 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kyle South

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Sports shooting ranges, clarifying immunity from civil liability and criminal prosecution when operating or using sports shooting ranges, compliance with lead control laws and regulations as a prerequisite for extending immunity, Sec. 6-5-341 am'd.

Summary

HB466 clarifies and tightens immunity for sport shooting ranges from civil and criminal liability for noise and lead pollution, adding a lead-control requirement for newer ranges

What This Bill Does

The bill confirms immunity for range operators and users from civil and criminal liability for noise or lead pollution if the range operates 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and meets certain existing criteria. For ranges that began before August 1, 2001, immunity applies if they were in existence before 1990 or complied with applicable noise/lead laws as of August 1, 2001. For ranges that opened after August 1, 2001, immunity requires compliance with recommended or required lead control laws and the development and adherence to a lead remediation and control plan to prevent lead from contaminating neighboring lands, water, or aquifers. The bill also states that these ranges are not subject to nuisance actions under the specified conditions, and it clarifies that certain regulatory limits on noise or lead may not apply to exempt ranges. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Sport shooting range operators and patrons, who would gain immunity from civil/criminal liability for noise and lead pollution if they meet the hours and compliance criteria (and, for newer ranges, implement a lead remediation plan).
• Neighbors and nearby land/water users, who are affected by the requirement for lead remediation and control plans to prevent lead contamination from ranges opened after August 1, 2001.
• Local governments and regulatory bodies, whose noise and lead regulations may not apply to ranges that are exempt from liability under the bill.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 6-5-341 to define immunity from civil and criminal liability for noise and lead pollution when a sport shooting range operates 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and meets existing criteria.
• For ranges existing before August 1, 2001: immunity applies if the range existed before 1990 or complied with noise/lead laws as of August 1, 2001 (or upon inception).
• For ranges established after August 1, 2001: immunity depends on compliance with lead control laws and the development, documentation, and implementation of a lead remediation and control plan to prevent lead from reaching neighboring lands, water, or groundwater.
• Immunity from nuisance is provided under the same time and compliance conditions; no new duty of care is created beyond the outlined immunity.
• Certain regulatory limits on noise and lead may not apply to ranges exempt from liability, and the bill includes general provisions about streets and the act’s effective date.

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

Subjects

Firearms