SB54 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dan RobertsSenator

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses; critical infrastructure facilities, further provided; crimes of unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure facility and criminal tampering, further provided

Summary

SB54 strengthens protections for critical infrastructure by expanding the definition to include communications facilities and tightening penalties for unauthorized entry and tampering.

What This Bill Does

It adds communications service infrastructure to the list of critical infrastructure facilities. It tightens penalties for unauthorized entry, making it a Class A misdemeanor generally, with a Class C felony if someone injures, destroys, or interferes with operations during the entry, and a Class C felony if entry occurs with an attached weapon or explosive via unmanned aircraft. It creates first-degree criminal tampering (Class C felony) for utilities when service is interrupted or threatened with a deadly weapon during work, and second-degree criminal tampering (Class B misdemeanor) for tampering with utility property or causing inconvenience, with specific scope-of-employment rules. The law clarifies that certain lawful actions, rights-of-way, and employment duties are not covered by these offenses and sets an effective date of October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who unlawfully enter critical infrastructure facilities (including those using fraudulent identification or entering restricted areas) and anyone entering with an unmanned aircraft system that carries a weapon or ammunition; penalties range from Class A misdemeanor to Class C felony depending on the conduct.
• Utilities, utility workers, and facility operators who are subject to criminal tampering provisions; their actions while performing duties could result in Class C felony (first degree) or Class B misdemeanor (second degree) penalties for interrupting or tampering with public utility services or property.

Key Provisions

• Redefines and expands the term 'critical infrastructure facility' to include communications service infrastructure or facilities.
• Makes unauthorized entry into a critical infrastructure facility a Class A misdemeanor, with a Class C felony if injuries, destruction, or interference with operations occur, and a Class C felony if entry involves an unmanned aircraft system with a weapon.
• Creates criminal tampering in the first degree (Class C felony) for utilities when there is substantial interruption or impairment of service, or when threatening with a deadly weapon during duties, under proper employment identification.
• Creates criminal tampering in the second degree (Class B misdemeanor) for tampering with another's property or utility property to cause inconvenience or disruption.
• Includes clarifying language about employment scope, rights-of-way, and exemptions for lawful assembly and peaceful petition, as well as definitions for terms like unmanned aerial system and critical infrastructure.

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