HB321 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

James LomaxRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to state government; to require a state agency, department, or other governmental body, or a county or municipality, to consult the federal Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List before purchasing or acquiring an unmanned aircraft system; and to prohibit a governmental body, county, or municipality from purchasing or acquiring an unmanned aircraft system in certain circumstances.

Summary

HB321 would require Alabama state agencies and local governments to check the federal SDN List before buying drones and ban purchases from Chinese manufacturers on that list.

What This Bill Does

Before purchasing a drone, a government entity must consult the Office of Foreign Assets Control's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. If the manufacturer is on the SDN List and based in China, the government body cannot buy that drone. The requirement applies to state agencies, departments, and other governmental bodies, as well as counties and municipalities. The law would take effect on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• State government agencies and departments must check the SDN List and may be prohibited from purchasing unmanned aircraft systems from certain manufacturers based on the list.
• Counties and municipalities must also check the SDN List and may be prohibited from purchasing unmanned aircraft systems from Chinese manufacturers on the list.

Key Provisions

• Before purchasing or acquiring an unmanned aircraft system, a governmental body must consult the OFAC SDN List.
• If the manufacturer is on the SDN List and based in China, the governmental body shall not purchase or acquire the unmanned aircraft system.
• The same SDN List check and restriction apply to counties and municipalities.
• If the manufacturer is on the SDN List and based in China, a county or municipality shall not purchase or acquire the unmanned aircraft system.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and Governor's approval.

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