SB164 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses, unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure facility further provided for

Summary

The bill expands unauthorized entry to include flying a drone within 200 feet of a critical infrastructure facility and strengthens penalties for trespass at such facilities.

What This Bill Does

It makes operating an unmanned aircraft system within 200 feet of a critical infrastructure facility an unauthorized entry. It preserves existing ways to commit unauthorized entry, such as entering without authority, using fraudulent identification, staying after being forbidden, or entering restricted areas. It assigns penalties: a Class A misdemeanor for unauthorized entry, and a Class C felony if the act injures, destroys, or interrupts a critical infrastructure asset, or if the unmanned aircraft is used with a weapon or explosive. It also provides definitions for critical infrastructure and unmanned aircraft systems, and sets an effective date of October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who intentionally enter, attempt to enter, or remain on the premises of a critical infrastructure facility without authorization, or who use fraudulent identification to gain entry, and face criminal penalties.
• Operators or users of unmanned aircraft systems that fly within 200 feet of a critical infrastructure facility, who could be charged with unauthorized entry and potentially face enhanced felonies if they cause damage, interrupt operations, or carry weapons.

Key Provisions

• Defines critical infrastructure and critical infrastructure facilities, listing many types of facilities and assets included in the term.
• Prohibits unauthorized entry into critical infrastructure facilities, including specific acts such as entering without authority, using fraudulent documents, remaining after forbidden, entering restricted areas, and operating an unmanned aircraft within 200 feet of the facility.
• Establishes penalties: Class A misdemeanor for unauthorized entry; Class C felony if there is injury, removal, destruction, or interruption of operations; Class C felony if the entry involves an unmanned aircraft system with a weapon, firearm, explosive, destructive device, or ammunition.
• Provides that lawful assembly and peaceful petition rights are not restricted and clarifies rights-of-way are unaffected.
• Defines unmanned aircraft system and its exclusions (e.g., not including satellites or spacecraft), and clarifies the operational context near facilities.
• Effective date set for 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

Crimes & Offenses