HB325 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ron Johnson
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Sky lantern, possession or sale prohibited, Act 2017-387, 2017 Reg. Sess., am'd; Sec. 13A-11-225 am'd.
Summary: HB 325 would ban possession and sale of sky lanterns and keep the ban on releasing them near public gatherings, with penalties treated as criminal offenses.
What This Bill Does
It makes it unlawful to possess, sell at retail, distribute, or give away sky lanterns and retains the rule that releasing a sky lantern within 500 yards of a public gathering is illegal. Violations would be criminal offenses punishable under existing criminal code. The bill also notes it creates a new crime or amends an existing crime, so it is exempt from certain local-funding approval requirements.

Who It Affects
Individuals who own, possess, or would purchase sky lanterns would be prohibited from doing so and could face criminal penalties.
Retailers, distributors, and other sellers of sky lanterns would be prohibited from selling or distributing them and could face penalties.

Key Provisions
Adds prohibition on possessing, selling at retail, distributing, or giving away sky lanterns; defines 'sky lantern' and 'public gathering'.
It is unlawful to release a sky lantern within 500 yards of a public gathering.
Violations are criminal offenses punishable under Section 13A-5-12.
The bill is excluded from certain Amendment 621 requirements because it defines or amends a crime.
Effective immediately after the Governor signs the act into 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: Fire Safety