HB144 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ben RobbinsRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Mechanics lien on aircraft; clarifies and establishes scope of lien of a provider of certain labor or materials to aircraft, authorizes recording lien with FAA and Secretary of State
Summary: HB144 creates a statutory mechanic's lien on aircraft for storage, fueling, repairs, or maintenance and allows recording with FAA or Alabama Secretary of State, while making the lien subordinate to certain preexisting security interests.
What This Bill Does
The bill lets providers who store, fuel, repair, or maintain an aircraft place a mechanic's lien on the aircraft for the work done. The lien amount can be the contract price or, if not specified, reasonable and usual compensation. It roles the lien as subordinate to prior UCC security interests unless the secured party authorized the work. The lien can be recorded with the FAA Aircraft Registry for US-registered aircraft, or with the Alabama Secretary of State for aircraft not registered in the US or registered in another country, with specific filing requirements and potential fees. The law also sets timing (record within 180 days after completion) and the required information to be filed.

Who It Affects
Aircraft service providers (those who store, fuel, repair, or maintain aircraft) would obtain a statutory mechanic's lien on the aircraft and may record it with the FAA or Alabama Secretary of State, subject to prior security interests.
Aircraft owners and holders of UCC security interests (lenders) would see liens on their aircraft that are subordinate to already perfected security interests, unless the secured party authorizes the lienholder to perform the work.

Key Provisions
Creates a statutory mechanic's lien on aircraft for storage, fueling, repairs, or maintenance, with the lien amount either the contract amount or reasonable/usual compensation.
Lien for storage applies only if the storage contract is written or the verbal contract provides for storage of at least 30 days.
Lien is subordinate to UCC security interests perfected before the storage/repair/maintenance work, unless the secured party authorizes the lienholder to perform the work.
Lien may be recorded with the Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Registry within 180 days after completion, using a verified document listing lienholder, amount due, aircraft description, owner information, and FAA-assigned aircraft number if known.
For aircraft not registered in the US or registered in a country other than the US, lien may be recorded with the Alabama Secretary of State by filing an affidavit with specified details, and the Secretary will maintain and index the records (with potential filing fees).
Effective date of the act is October 1, 2025.

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