HB310 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Donnie ChesteenSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Forestry Commission, rules concerning state forests and other land it controls, criminal penalties for violations; Sec. 9-13-10.2 added
Summary: The bill lets the Alabama Forestry Commission set rules for state forests and enforces them with penalties for violations.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes the Commission to create, change, or repeal rules for state forests and lands it controls, and it establishes a Class C misdemeanor for rule violations with fines ranging from $50 to $500 (plus costs). Fines go to the Alabama Forestry Commission Fund. The State Forester and Commission staff can file charges and issue citations for violations. The act becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it, and it is exempt from local expenditure approval rules because it creates a new crime.

Who It Affects
General public and businesses using state forests and other lands controlled by the Commission, who would need to follow the new rules and could be fined for violations.
The Alabama Forestry Commission and State Forester (and designated staff), who gain authority to enforce the rules and issue citations.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 9-13-10.2 giving the State Forestry Commission authority to adopt, alter, amend, or repeal rules governing state forests and lands it controls.
Creates a Class C misdemeanor for violations of these rules, with fines of $50–$500 per offense and possible recovery of court costs.
Requires collected fines to be paid to the Office of the State Forester and then deposited into the Alabama Forestry Commission Fund.
Gives the State Forester and designated Commission employees authority to file charges and issue citations for violations.
Effective immediately after governor's approval.
Excludes the bill from Amendment 621 local expenditure requirements because it creates a new crime.

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