SB50 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Vessels, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, procedure for seizure and disposal of abandoned and derelict vessels, Alabama Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Fund, created, crimes and offenses, crime of refusing or failing to remove a derelict vessel from waters of this state, created

Summary

SB 50 creates a full framework for removing, storing, selling, and disposing of abandoned and derelict vessels in Alabama, with a new dedicated fund and penalties for owners who do not remove vessels when asked.

What This Bill Does

It defines what counts as an abandoned or derelict vessel, and gives law enforcement the authority to remove them from public or private property. It requires notice, lien searches, and published notices to owners and lienholders, with a potential public sale after a court determines abandonment or dereliction and the owner or lienholder does not redeem within time limits. Proceeds from sales go first to fees and debts, then into the Alabama Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Fund, which finances enforcement and administration; the act also allows some vessels to be disposed of without a court sale if they are worth less than the total cost to sell. The bill establishes redemption rights, appeal processes, and penalties for owners who refuse to remove derelict vessels, all under a new regulatory framework and rulemaking authority for the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.

Who It Affects

• Vessel owners and lienholders may be required to remove abandoned/derelict vessels, face notices, potential liens, possible sale, and are granted redemption and appeal rights with specific timelines.
• Law enforcement agencies and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency gain new authority to remove, store, advertise, auction, and dispose of vessels, manage the new fund, and issue rules governing the process.

Key Provisions

• Defines abandoned and derelict vessels and gives law enforcement power to remove them from public or private property.
• Requires notice to owners and lienholders, lien searches, and publication of removal and sale details; sets a 45-day and other deadlines for redemption and sale procedures.
• Authorizes court-ordered public auctions for sale of abandoned/derelict vessels and outlines how sale proceeds are distributed (fees, debts, then the new fund).
• Creates the Alabama Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Fund to pay for seizure, removal, storage, appraisal, and disposal; funds come from fees, fines, and other sources.
• Allows certain vessels to be disposed of without a court sale if not redeemed within 30 days and valued below selling costs, with prior public advertisement.
• Imposes penalties on owners who refuse to remove derelict vessels, with fines linked to vessel class and mandatory repayment of enforcement costs to the Fund.
• Gives the agency rulemaking authority to implement and administer the act and establishes redemption and contest rights for interested parties.

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

Subjects

Vessels