HB274 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Stolen property, to provide receiving a stolen firearm a felony, technical revisions, Secs. 13A-8-16, 13A-8-17, 13A-8-18, 13A-8-18.1, 13A-8-19 am'd.

Summary

HB 274 revises receiving-stolen-property laws to create firearm-specific penalties based on value and makes technical revisions to those offenses.

What This Bill Does

It changes how penalties are set for receiving stolen property, with a focus on stolen firearms valued under certain amounts. It creates four degrees of offense with specific value thresholds, including firearm-related provisions (e.g., firearms valued at $500 or less). It makes technical revisions to the definitions and criteria for receiving stolen property. It notes the bill would involve new local funds but is exempt from local expenditure approval requirements because it defines or amends a crime.

Who It Affects

• People who receive, retain, or dispose of stolen property (including firearms), who would face penalties based on the property's value and any prior related convictions.
• Law enforcement and prosecutors, who would use the new value-based thresholds and firearm-specific provisions to charge and prosecute cases.

Key Provisions

• Amends §13A-8-16 to redefine receiving stolen property, including prima facie evidence scenarios.
• Amends §13A-8-17 to establish receiving stolen property in the first degree for property over $2,500 (Class B felony).
• Amends §13A-8-18 to establish second-degree receiving stolen property for property valued $1,500–$2,499 or a firearm valued at $500 or less with a prior conviction (Class C felony).
• Amends §13A-8-18.1 to establish third-degree receiving stolen property for property valued $500–$1,499 or a firearm valued at $500 or less (Class D felony).
• Amends §13A-8-19 to establish fourth-degree receiving stolen property for property valued at $500 or less (Class A misdemeanor).
• Adds firearm-specific penalties within the receiving stolen property framework and includes technical revisions to the offenses.

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