HB37 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to crimes and offenses; to create the crime of making a terrorist threat in the second degree; to establish penalties for violations; to repeal Section 13A-10-15, Code of Alabama 1975, the existing crime of making a terrorist threat, and create the new crime of making a terrorist threat in the first degree; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.

Summary

HB37 creates two new terrorist-threat crimes in Alabama—first degree and second degree—replacing the old law, with defined terms and a local-fund constitutional note.

What This Bill Does

It creates the crime of making a terrorist threat in the first degree (Class C felony) and in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor), repealing the existing terrorist-threat statute. The bill defines key terms (property, threaten, weapons of mass destruction) and sets criteria for when a threat is credible and imminent. First-degree threats involve use of a bomb or similar mass-destructive device and can cause evacuations or disruption, with possible retaliation against someone involved in a case. The bill also notes that it is exempt from certain local-fund voting requirements under the state Constitution and specifies an effective date after passage.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who credibly threaten to use a bomb, mass-destructive device, or other weapon to harm people or damage property.
• People and property targeted by threats, including schools, churches, mosques, synagogues, and other real property.
• Law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts that would handle cases involving these offenses.

Key Provisions

• Creates making a terrorist threat in the first degree (Class C felony) for credible threats to commit violence or property damage by use of a bomb, explosive, weapon of mass destruction, firearm, deadly weapon, or other mechanism, with triggers such as evacuation of real property, disruption of a school/church/government activity, or retaliation against a victim involved in a proceeding or who provided information.
• Creates making a terrorist threat in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor), defines related terms (property, threaten, weapons of mass destruction), repeals the existing terrorist-threat statute (13A-10-15), and states the act is exempt from local-fund triggering requirements under Section 111.05 of the Alabama Constitution due to defining a new crime or amending an existing one, with an effective date specified.

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, create crime of making a terrorist threat in the first and second degree, penalties