SB237 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom ButlerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

To amend Sections 41-9-233 and 41-9-235, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017; to require a controlling governmental entity that replaces a memorial building to maintain the original name or erect a marker memorializing the name; to provide that a petition for waiver is deemed denied if the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection fails to act on an application for waiver within 90 days; to revise penalties for violations; to authorize the Attorney General to commence a civil action; and to require the Alabama State Council on the Arts to oversee the design, construction, and installation of a replica Saturn 1B Rocket at the most northern I-65 rest stop in the state.

Summary

SB237 would require replacing memorial buildings to keep their original names or add a marker, tighten waiver timelines, strengthen penalties with AG enforcement, and have the Arts Council oversee a Saturn 1B Rocket replica at a northern I-65 rest stop.

What This Bill Does

It requires the governmental entity responsible for a memorial building to keep the original name or erect a marker memorializing the name when replacement occurs. It sets a 90-day deadline for the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection to act on waiver requests; if no action is taken, the waiver is deemed denied. It revises penalties for violations, authorizes the Attorney General to file civil actions, and directs fines to be deposited into the Alabama State Historic Preservation Fund. It also directs the Alabama State Council on the Arts to design, construct, and install a replica Saturn 1B Rocket at the northernmost I-65 rest stop, with the ability to accept gifts and use appropriated funds; emergency repairs may temporarily relocate a site with restoration within a year. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Controlling governmental entities that manage architecturally significant or memorial buildings, memorial streets, or monuments; they must preserve original names or erect memorial markers, file waiver applications, and could face penalties and AG enforcement for violations.
• The Attorney General and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, along with public and heritage-interest groups involved in memorial decisions; they gain enforcement authority and oversee the Saturn rocket replica project at the I-65 rest stop, including accepting gifts/donations to fund the project.

Key Provisions

• Replaces memorial buildings must maintain the original name or erect a marker memorializing the name when replacement occurs.
• A waiver petition must be acted on within 90 days; if not, the waiver is deemed denied.
• Penalties for violations: a $25,000 fine plus $5,000 per day until restoration, with the Attorney General authorized to sue; fines deposited into the Alabama State Historic Preservation Fund.
• The Alabama State Council on the Arts must oversee the design, construction, and installation of a replica Saturn 1B Rocket at the northernmost I-65 rest stop, and may accept gifts/donations for this project.
• Emergency repairs may temporarily relocate a site with restoration to the prior location/condition within one year.

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