HB514 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Artis McCampbellRepresentative
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Criminal law, false or secret compartments on motor vehicles, prohibited
Summary: HB514 would ban operating, installing, or selling vehicles with false or secret compartments used to hide people, drugs, or other contraband, and it sets penalties and potential forfeiture.
What This Bill Does
The bill makes it illegal to operate a vehicle knowing it contains a false or secret compartment, to install or build one, or to sell a vehicle knowing it violates the law. It defines what counts as a false or secret compartment and gives examples, while excluding compartments that existed at manufacturing or OEM accessories. It allows law enforcement to infer knowledge in certain situations, allows forfeiture of the vehicle as contraband, and imposes penalties including a Class A misdemeanor (general case) or a Class B felony if a person is concealed, with fines up to $60,000.

Who It Affects
Vehicle operators and owners who might use or benefit from such compartments; they could face criminal charges, fines, and possible forfeiture if found with a false or secret compartment.
Manufacturers, installers, and sellers of vehicles or compartments who create, install, or sell false or secret compartments; they could face criminal liability and penalties if they know the vehicle violates the law.

Key Provisions
Section 1(a): It is unlawful to operate a vehicle with knowledge of a false or secret compartment, to install/create such a compartment, or to sell/dispose of a vehicle knowing it violates this section.
Section 1(b): Defines 'false or secret compartment' and provides examples (e.g., modified fuel tanks, altered factory equipment, added compartments); excludes compartments that existed at manufacture or OEM accessories.
Section 1(c)-(d)-(e): Establishes a legal knowledge inference, allows seizure and forfeiture of the vehicle as contraband, and sets penalties: generally a Class A misdemeanor, but a Class B felony if concealing a person; fines up to $60,000.
Section 2: States the bill is exempt from certain local-funding requirements under Amendment 621/890 because it creates/changes a crime; Section 3 specifies the effective date as 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: Crimes and Offenses