HB120 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Reed IngramRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Alarm system, battery charged fences, defined, counties and mun. authority limited

Summary

HB120 defines a battery-charged fence used with an alarm system and limits how cities and counties can regulate it, while exempting farm or animal containment uses.

What This Bill Does

It creates a precise definition for a battery-charged fence and its connection to an alarm system, including specific construction and safety features. It prevents local governments from requiring extra permits, imposing conflicting installation rules, or banning these fences, with a clear exemption for agricultural or animal containment uses. It also notes that municipalities can still apply general business licensing for fence installers, and the measure takes effect immediately if enacted.

Who It Affects

• Municipalities and counties: their authority to regulate the installation and use of battery-charged fences would be limited; they could not require additional permits or fees beyond standard alarm-permit requirements, could not impose inconsistent installation or operation rules, and could not prohibit installation.
• Property owners with non-residential properties and alarm-system installers: any battery-charged fences they install must meet the defined standards (height, voltage, warning signs, etc.), but they would not face extra local permits or restrictions beyond this act; fences used for agricultural or animal containment are exempt.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'battery-charged fence' as an alarm-system component with a fence and energizer powered by a commercial battery, producing a short electric charge on contact, and meeting specific criteria (monitored alarm interface, non-residential location, energizer ≤12 volts DC, charge within IEC standards, non-electric perimeter fence ≥5 feet high, overall height ≥10 feet and at least 2 feet taller than the non-electric fence, conspicuous warning signs every ≤30 feet).
• Local governments may not require additional permits or fees for installation beyond the standard alarm-system permit, may not impose installation/operational requirements inconsistent with the act, and may not prohibit installation of such fences.
• Excludes from coverage battery-charged fences used for agricultural or animal containment purposes.
• The act does not prohibit municipalities from charging a business license for fence installers under existing state law.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective immediately upon passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alarms