HB198 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David FaulknerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Beaches and coastal areas; to establish a public alert system when sharks are detected.

Summary

HB198 would create a shark alert system in Baldwin and Mobile Counties to warn beachgoers and coordinate responders when sharks are near shorelines, using wireless alerts, beach flags, and agency cooperation.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes a Shark Alert System under the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for Baldwin and Mobile Counties. It requires rules for activating/deactivating alerts, coordinating with first responders, and ensuring private beaches and shorelines participate. Alerts would be sent to mobile devices and first responders, and would include beach flag signals indicating water access is restricted; it also authorizes civil fines up to $5,000 for private beach owners who do not comply and allows collection actions in court. Activation occurs when a shark attack is reported or when a shark is in a location that could pose imminent danger to people near the beach or shoreline, with cooperation from multiple state and local agencies to implement and operate the system.

Who It Affects

• Beachgoers and visitors in Baldwin and Mobile Counties would receive timely shark alerts on their mobile devices and be advised to stay out of the water when an alert is active.
• Private owners or managers of beaches or shorelines would be required to participate in the alert system and could face civil fines up to $5,000 for noncompliance.
• First responders (lifeguards, EMS, police, sheriffs, and other emergency responders) would receive alerts and coordinate responses during shark alerts.
• State and local government agencies and subdivisions (including AEMA, State Law Enforcement, EMS offices, Alabama Public Service Commission, sheriffs, and municipalities) would assist, support, and participate in developing, implementing, and enforcing the system.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Shark Alert System for beaches and coastal areas in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, to be developed and implemented by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
• Requires rules for alert activation/deactivation, coordination among first responders, and mandatory participation by owners/managers of private beaches or shorelines accessible to the public.
• Allows the Commissioner to enter into agreements with other state agencies and political subdivisions to provide resources and support for the system.
• Authorizes civil fines up to $5,000 for private beach/shoreline owners or managers who fail to comply with the system's rules, with court action as a means of collection.
• Activation occurs upon a shark attack report or a report that a shark poses an imminent danger to people near a beach or shoreline.
• The alert system includes a wireless emergency alert to mobile devices, dispatch to on-duty first responders within a defined radius, and a beach flag signal indicating that an alert is active and water access is not permitted.
• Effective date: 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

Public Safety & Emergencies