SB207 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Arthur Orr

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Motor vehicles, false or secret compartments prohibited under certain conditions including to conceal a person, drugs, or contraband, installation prohibited, criminal penalties, forfeiture of vehicle

Summary

SB207 makes it illegal to operate, install, or sell a vehicle with false or secret compartments used to hide a person, drugs, or contraband, with criminal penalties and possible vehicle forfeiture.

What This Bill Does

The bill bans operating a vehicle that knowingly contains a false or secret compartment intended to conceal a person, a controlled substance, or contraband. It also bans installing, creating, or fabricating such compartments and selling a vehicle known to violate this rule. There are exemptions for compartments that existed when the vehicle was manufactured or are standard manufacturer accessories. Violations can lead to criminal penalties and the vehicle being seized and forfeited.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle operators/drivers who knowingly use a vehicle with a false or secret compartment, facing criminal penalties and potential forfeiture.
• People who manufacture, install, sell, or transfer a vehicle known to have a false or secret compartment, facing penalties and potential forfeiture.

Key Provisions

• Unlawful to operate a vehicle knowing it contains a false or secret compartment to conceal a person, a controlled substance, or contraband.
• Unlawful to install, create, or fabricate a false or secret compartment for the same purposes.
• Unlawful to sell or dispose of a vehicle with knowledge that it violates this section.
• Excludes compartments that existed at the time of manufacturing or standard manufacturer accessories.
• Knowledge may be inferred if the compartment conceals a person, controlled substances, or contraband, or there is evidence of prior concealment.
• A vehicle seized under this section may be forfeited as contraband.
• Penalties: Class A misdemeanor for most violations; Class B felony if the compartment conceals a person or there is evidence of prior concealment; fines up to $60,000.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after the bill becomes law.

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