House Bill 254 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shane StringerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Vessels; stopping and boarding for safety or sanitation equipment inspections prohibited

Summary

HB254 would prohibit law enforcement from stopping or boarding a vessel solely for safety or marine sanitation inspections, unless there is probable cause to believe a violation has occurred, effective June 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

It bars officers from stopping or boarding a vessel just to perform safety or sanitation inspections. Officers must have probable cause to believe a law has been violated before stopping or boarding a vessel. The term 'vessel' is defined as in Section 33-5-3 of the Alabama Code. The act takes effect on June 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement officers and agencies, who must now have probable cause and cannot stop vessels solely for inspections.
• Vessel owners, operators, and passengers, who are protected from arbitrary stops or boarding for inspections and may be stopped only with probable cause or other lawful reasons.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits stopping or boarding a vessel solely to perform safety inspections or marine sanitation equipment inspections.
• Requires officers to have probable cause to believe a violation has occurred before stopping or boarding a vessel.
• Defines 'vessel' as the meaning in Section 33-5-3, Code of Alabama 1975.
• Effective date: June 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