HB267 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris SellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Forestry Commission; benefits of State Forester revised, burn permits process revised, penalties revised

Summary

HB267 reorganizes the State Forestry Commission leadership, updates burn-permit rules, strengthens fire-prevention penalties, and shifts some enforcement duties to the State Forester, with a wildfire-alert authority.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the State Forester to earn sick and annual leave and travel reimbursement, and clarifies that the State Forester is not subject to the state Merit System. It removes the Commission’s ability to appoint forest law enforcement officers. It refines the burn-permit process for prescribed burns, requires permits, sets criteria for issuing and revoking permits, and creates penalties for conducting prescribed burns without a permit or under drought-fire rules. It creates a wildfire-alert authority for the State Forester, requires seizure of certain vehicles and equipment to be delivered to the State Forester, and repeals several old forest-fire wardens provisions.

Who It Affects

• State Forester and Alabama Forestry Commission—new benefits, duties, and loss of authority to appoint forest law enforcement officers
• Private landowners, contractors, and others who perform prescribed burns—must obtain burn permits and meet safety criteria
• Law enforcement personnel and forestry program administrators—new enforcement procedures, seizure provisions, and potential changes in governance
• Residents in areas under drought or wildfire alerts—subject to wildfire-alert declarations and related fire restrictions

Key Provisions

• Adds 9-3-5.1 wildfire-alert authority for the State Forester.
• Adds 9-13-11.1 prescribed burn and burn-permit provisions: permits required, issuance rules (including possible electronic permits), eligibility criteria, denial, revocation, false-declaration consequences, and general permit administration.
• Authorizes State Forester to earn sick/annual leave and travel reimbursement; clarifies they are not subject to the Merit System.
• Removes the Commission’s authority to appoint forest-law-enforcement officers.
• Repeals multiple old forest-fire wardens provisions (sections 9-13-5, 9-13-6, 9-13-7, 9-13-8, 9-13-9, 9-13-13, 9-13-14, 9-13-15, 9-13-24, 9-13-64, 9-13-223, 9-13-226) and related penalties, consolidating enforcement under updated sections.
• Requires seized vehicles/equipment to be delivered to the State Forester or designee.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.
• Requires the State Forester to meet specified qualifications (bachelor’s degree in forestry, licensing/registration) and to take an oath and bond; outlines salary/expense provisions and service-at-pleasure status.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Apr 2, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Conservation & Natural Resources