SB54 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, governmental entity that replaces a memorial building required to maintain original name or erect a marker memorializing the name, If Committee on Alabama Monument Protection fails to act on an application for waiver within 90 days the petition for waiver is deemed denied, penalties revised, Sec. 41-9-238 added; Secs. 41-9-233, 41-9-235 am'd.

Summary

SB54 updates the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act to require replacing memorial buildings to keep the original name or add a marker, tightens waiver timelines and penalties, and directs a John Lewis statue at the Edmund Pettus Bridge with new oversight.

What This Bill Does

It requires the controlling government entity that replaces a memorial building to maintain the original name or erect a marker memorializing the original name. If the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection does not act on a waiver request within 90 days, the waiver is deemed denied. It revises penalties for violations and allows the Attorney General to start civil action to enforce the law, with fines collected into the Alabama State Historic Preservation Fund. It also directs the Alabama Historical Commission to design and oversee the installation of a life-size John Lewis statue near the southeastern entrance to the Edmund Pettus Bridge, funded by gifts or state funds as needed, and protected from relocation or disturbance without permission.

Who It Affects

• Controlling governmental entities responsible for architecturally significant buildings, memorial buildings, memorial schools, memorial streets, or monuments; they must maintain the original name or place a memorial marker when replacing or altering memorial sites and may face penalties or waivers obligations.
• State agencies and oversight bodies (the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection, the Attorney General, and the Alabama Historical Commission); they gain new duties and powers to manage waivers, enforce penalties, and oversee the John Lewis statue project.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 41-9-233 and 41-9-235 to require a governing entity replacing a memorial building to keep the original name or to erect a marker memorializing the original name.
• If a memorial site is not replaced, the governing entity must erect a marker memorializing the person the memorial was named after.
• Creates a waiver process: a controlling entity may petition for a waiver with specified documentation and commentary; if the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection does not act within 90 days, the waiver is deemed denied.
• Authors penalties: a one-time fine of $25,000 plus a daily fine of $5,000 for each day the violation continues, with penalties collected into the Alabama State Historic Preservation Fund and the Attorney General empowered to file civil actions to enforce compliance.
• Adds Section 41-9-238 requiring the Alabama Historical Commission to design and oversee the installation of a life-size statue of John Lewis near the southeastern entrance to the Edmund Pettus Bridge, with the ability to accept donations and use appropriated funds, and protection against relocation or alteration without permission.
• Includes emergency relocation provisions: temporary relocation for emergency repairs is allowed without a waiver if the site is restored or returned within one year; if more than one year is needed, a waiver must be sought.

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

Subjects

Memorial Preservation Act