HB21 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Scott StadthagenRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Critical infrastructure, provides further for crime of unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure, including unmanned aircraft systems, provides additional penalties, Sec. 13A-7-4.3 am'd.

Summary

HB21 broadens protection for critical infrastructure and increases penalties for unauthorized entry or damage, especially when a weaponized unmanned aircraft system is involved.

What This Bill Does

The bill expands the list of facilities considered critical infrastructure to include pipelines, mining operations and related infrastructure, among other utilities. It creates stricter penalties: unauthorized entry is a Class A misdemeanor, and damaging or interfering with critical infrastructure during the crime—or doing so while operating a certain unmanned aircraft system—becomes a Class C felony; possessing or operating an unmanned aircraft with a weapon or explosive during the offense also triggers a Class C felony. It adds offenses for using fraudulent IDs, remaining on the property after being told to leave, and entering restricted areas. It notes that the local funds requirement under constitutional Amendment 621/890 does not apply because the bill creates a new crime or amends a crime definition, and it sets an effective date for the measure after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who might unlawfully enter, stay on, or damage critical infrastructure (including those who use fraudulent identification or enter restricted areas) and would face harsher penalties.
• Owners, operators, and staff of critical infrastructure facilities (such as pipelines, mining sites, power and water facilities) who are protected by the expanded definitions and enforcement provisions.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-7-4.3 to redefine CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE to include pipelines, mining operations and mining infrastructure, as well as other facilities like chemical plants, power facilities, water treatment, LNG terminals, natural gas storage, and transportation hubs.
• Introduces penalties:Unauthorized entry into a critical infrastructure is a Class A misdemeanor; damaging, destroying, removing, or interfering with such infrastructure during the offense, or doing so while operating an unmanned aircraft system, is a Class C felony; possessing or operating an unmanned aircraft system with a weapon or explosive during the offense is also a Class C felony.
• Adds offenses related to fraudulent identification, remaining on property after being forbidden, and entering restricted areas of a critical infrastructure.
• States that the bill is excluded from local-funds requirements under Amendment 621/890 because it creates a new crime or amends a crime definition, and it specifies the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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

Critical Infrastructure