SB64 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Conservation and Natural Resources Dept., provide legislative findings, prohibiting commissioner and Advisory Board of from limiting use of any species of rattlesnake used in certain hosted events by municipalities

Summary

SB 64 would allow rattlesnake displays at certain small-town festivals by prohibiting state officials from banning or restricting their use in those events.

What This Bill Does

The bill states that rattlesnakes have zones of protection, and in those zones the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and its Advisory Board would have no authority to prohibit or limit their use. It creates a carve-out for festivals or community events in municipalities with populations under 7,000 (per the 2010 census) that include exhibitions or education about rattlesnakes, entertainment, arts and crafts, and food vendors. For these places, the department and board may not prohibit or limit the use of any rattlesnake in the family Viperidae. It designates the City of Opp and its Rattlesnake Rodeo as the first zone of refuge. The act would take effect immediately after governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Municipalities with populations under 7,000 (per the 2010 census) that host festivals or community events featuring rattlesnake-related activities (exhibitions/education, entertainment, arts and crafts, and food vendors) — they would be able to use rattlesnakes without state prohibition.
• The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and its Advisory Board — they would be prohibited from banning or limiting rattlesnake use at the qualifying events.

Key Provisions

• Section 1 establishes findings that rattlesnakes have zones of protection, and designates the City of Opp (home to the Rattlesnake Rodeo) as the first zone of refuge where authorities shall have no power to prohibit/display rattlesnakes.
• Section 2 bars the commissioner and the Advisory Board from prohibiting or limiting the use of any rattlesnake (family Viperidae) at festivals or community events hosted in municipalities with populations under 7,000 (per 2010 census) that feature: exhibitions/education about rattlesnakes, entertainment, arts and crafts, and food vendors.
• Section 3 states the act becomes effective immediately after governor's approval.

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

Subjects

Conservation and Natural Resources Department