SB89 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rodger SmithermanSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Crimes & offenses, provides that it is unlawful to loiter within 30 feet of an interchange involving a controlled-access or limited access highway
Summary: SB89 makes it illegal to loiter within 30 feet of highway interchanges in Alabama, with new penalties and enforcement options.
What This Bill Does
It adds a new loitering prohibition for areas within 30 feet of interchanges on controlled-access or limited-access highways. A first offense is a loitering crime and a second or subsequent offense is a Class C misdemeanor. Police may instruct violators to leave and may offer transport to emergency housing, which, if accepted, may be provided; the bill also includes a constitutional exemption related to local-funds expenditures.

Who It Affects
Individuals who loiter within 30 feet of highway interchanges would be committing a crime and could face penalties.
Law enforcement officers and police agencies would have new procedures and options for handling violators, including exit instructions and potential transportation to emergency housing.

Key Provisions
Adds new loitering provision (a)(8) making it unlawful to loiter or remain within 30 feet of any interchange involving a controlled-access or limited-access highway.
Defines 'interchange' as a system of interconnected roadways that moves traffic between two or more roadways and does not intersect at grade.
Loitering is a violation; a second or subsequent violation in the same jurisdiction is a Class C misdemeanor.
Before arrest for certain loitering violations, officers may instruct the person to exit the area and may offer transport to emergency housing if available; transport is permitted if the person accepts.
Actions by officers under this section are subject to Section 36-1-12.
Section 2 provides a constitutional exemption, clarifying that the bill does not require local government approval or a 2/3 vote because it falls within an exception related to local-funds expenditure.
Effective date of the act is June 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: Crimes & Offenses