SB53 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Crimes and offenses, crime of damaging public monuments, created

Summary

SB53 would criminalize damaging a public monument, with harsher penalties if the damage occurs during a riot.

What This Bill Does

The bill makes it a crime to mars, marks, deface, or damages a monument on public property unless authorized by law. There are two levels of penalties: first-degree (Class B felony) if the act occurs while the person is participating in a riot, aggravated riot, or unlawful assembly; second-degree (Class C felony) for damage without riot involvement. It acknowledges local funding rules but states the bill is exempt from those requirements because it creates or amends a crime. The law would take effect on the first day of the third month after it passes and the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• People who damage public monuments on public property would face criminal charges, with Class B felony penalties if their damage occurs during a riot and Class C felony penalties otherwise.
• Local governments or entities that control public property (and the maintenance of monuments) would enforce the new law and may be affected by how it interacts with local funding rules, though the bill is carved out from those local expenditure requirements.

Key Provisions

• Creates the crime of damaging a monument on public property; first-degree damage (Class B felony) applies when the person damages a monument while participating in a riot, aggravated riot, or unlawful assembly.
• Creates the crime of damaging a monument on public property; second-degree damage (Class C felony) applies when the person damages a monument without the riot context.
• Declares the bill exempt from further local expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 (as amended), because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
• Provides that 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

Crimes and Offenses