SB339 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David SessionsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to vessels and navigation; to provide for the placement of a uniform system of navigational markers on the waters of this state; to amend Section 33-5-4, Code of Alabama 1975, to require the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to provide general oversight and maintenance of permitted navigational markers on the waters of this state; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

Summary

The bill would create a uniform navigational marker system for Alabama waters, with the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency overseeing markers and a restructured Marine Police Division handling related duties.

What This Bill Does

It requires a uniform system of navigational markers aligned with the U.S. Coast Guard system and sets that only approved markers may be placed. Local governments or groups who want to place markers must apply to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency with details of the planned markers. The ASLEA would assist applicants in obtaining Coast Guard permission and issue permits, while keeping records of approvals. The bill also creates the Division of Marine Police within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, assigning it responsibilities for vessel registration, fee handling, accident reporting, and general oversight and maintenance of markers for Alabama’s coastal and inland waters.

Who It Affects

• Local governments, counties, municipalities, and other groups that want to place navigational markers, who must apply to ASLEA and follow the uniform system.
• Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and the newly described Division of Marine Police, which will oversee marker placement, issue permits, handle vessel registration processes and related records, and coordinate with the Coast Guard.

Key Provisions

• The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency shall adopt rules to establish a uniform system of navigational markers for Alabama waters, compatible with the U.S. Coast Guard Aids to Navigation System.
• Waters may be marked only in conformity with the adopted rules and the U.S. Aids to Navigation System; applications for marker placement must be submitted to ASLEA with map, marker list, specifications, purpose, and responsible individuals.
• ASLEA will assist applicants in obtaining Coast Guard permission where needed, conduct investigations, and issue permits; ASLEA will keep records of approvals.
• Section 33-5-4 is amended to create the Division of Marine Police within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with duties including vessel registration numbers, handling and accounting of registration fees, accident reporting, and general oversight and maintenance of permitted navigational markers.
• The act applies to the Gulf of Mexico and other salt and brackish waters under Alabama jurisdiction, and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

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

Subjects

Vessels; placement of navigational markers on waters of this state, provided