House Bill 157 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul W. LeeRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Boating; certain boating events exempt from obtaining an event permit

Summary

HB157 would exempt small boating events with 35 vessels or fewer from needing a state event permit, while preserving safety rules for those events.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would exempt regattas, motorboat races, marine parades, tournaments, or exhibitions with 35 vessels or fewer from obtaining a state event permit. The Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency would continue to set safety rules for these events, and sponsors would be responsible for protecting participants and spectators from marine traffic interference and hazards. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Event sponsors/organizers of regattas, motorboat races, marine parades, tournaments, or exhibitions consisting of 35 vessels or fewer would no longer need to obtain a state event permit.
• Boaters, participants, and spectators at those small events (and the broader public indirectly) would be subject to existing or future safety rules and be protected from marine traffic interference and hazards through sponsor responsibilities.

Key Provisions

• Exempts events with 35 vessels or fewer from state event permit requirements.
• Authorizes the Secretary to adopt and may amend safety rules governing these events.
• Requires event sponsors to provide adequate protection from marine traffic interference and hazards.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Waters & Boating