SB199 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 17, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to crimes and offenses; to prohibit an individual from picketing or protesting in certain circumstances; to allow counties and municipalities to adopt ordinances or regulations regarding time and noise regulations in certain circumstances; to provide criminal penalties for violations; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose of 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: SB199 would bar picketing or protesting at a residence to harass or intimidate, let local governments regulate time and noise for residential protests, and establish criminal penalties for violations.
What This Bill Does
It makes it illegal to picket or protest at a residence with the intent to harass, intimidate, or disturb the people living there. Law enforcement must tell the protesters to disperse peacefully and give them time to do so before arrest. Municipalities or counties may adopt ordinances or resolutions to limit the time frame and noise level of residential protests, and violations would be enforced the same as other violations of this section. The bill notes a potential local-funding impact but is exempt from the local-funds approval requirement, so it could take effect without separate local government approval.

Who It Affects
Protesters/picketing individuals would be prohibited from protesting at private residences with intent to harass or intimidate, and could face Class C or Class B misdemeanor charges for violations.
Residents and occupants of residences would be protected from harassment or intimidation by protests near their homes, and local governments (counties and municipalities) could regulate when and how loudly such protests may occur.

Key Provisions
Prohibits picking or protesting at a residence occupied or used by an individual with the intent to harass, intimidate, or disturb that individual or other residents.
A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor, with a second or subsequent violation becoming a Class B misdemeanor.
Law enforcement must instruct the protester to immediately and peacefully disperse and provide a reasonable time to comply before arrest.
Municipalities and counties may adopt ordinances or resolutions to regulate the time frame and noise level of residential picketing or protesting, with violations enforced the same as this section.
The bill is exempt from Section 111.05 of the Alabama Constitution, meaning it does not require local government approval or a 2/3 vote to become effective due to its specified exceptions.

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 & Offenses, prohibited picketing or protesting in certain circumstances and provided criminal penalties