HB493 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ben RobbinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Mechanics liens on aircraft, clarifies and establishes scope of lien of a contributor of certain labor or materials to aircraft, authorizes recording lien with FAA and with Secretary of state.

Summary

HB493 would let aircraft service providers record a mechanic's lien on aircraft they store, fuel, repair, or maintain, with the ability to file with the FAA or Alabama Secretary of State, while making the lien subordinate to prior UCC security interests.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill creates a statutory mechanic's lien on an aircraft for storage, fueling, repairs, or maintenance, for the contract amount or, if not specified, reasonable compensation. The lien is subordinate to previously perfected UCC security interests. It allows the lien to be recorded with the Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Registry, and for aircraft not US-registered or registered elsewhere, with the Alabama Secretary of State via an affidavit. The lien must be filed within 180 days after completion of the work, with specific information required in the filing. For storage contracts, the storage arrangement must be in writing or verbal with at least 30 days storage.

Who It Affects

• Aircraft service providers (stores, fueling, repair, and maintenance businesses) would gain a statutory lien on aircraft they work on and a process to record that lien with FAA or state authorities.
• Aircraft owners and holders of UCC security interests in aircraft would be affected because the lien is subordinate to prior perfected UCC interests and filings could impact encumbrances and how liens are recorded.

Key Provisions

• Creates a statutory mechanic's lien on aircraft for storage, fueling, repairs, or maintenance with the lien amount equal to the contract amount or, if not specified, reasonable compensation.
• The lien is subordinate to UCC security interests perfected before the storage or work began.
• Authorizes recording the lien with the Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Registry; allows recording with the Alabama Secretary of State for aircraft not registered in the U.S. or registered in another nation, via affidavit if applicable.
• Requires filing within 180 days after completion of the storage or last repair/maintenance, including name, contact, amount due, aircraft description, and owner information.
• For storage contracts, storage must be in writing or verbal with at least 30 days storage, and the Secretary of State may charge filing fees.
• Effective date is October 1, 2024.

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

Subjects

Property & Estates