House Bill 267 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 would revise Alabama's forestry laws to change the State Forester's benefits, limit forest law enforcement, tighten burn permits, strengthen fire penalties, and adjust seizure rules.

What This Bill Does

It would authorize the State Forester to earn annual and sick leave and receive travel reimbursement as if a state employee. It would remove the Alabama Forestry Commission's authority to appoint forest law enforcement officers. It would tighten the burn permit process for prescribed burns, and create a Class B misdemeanor for conducting a prescribed burn without a permit. It would increase penalties for fire-related violations during drought, require seized vehicles and equipment to be delivered to the State Forester, repeal forest fire wardens provisions, add wildfire alert and drought emergency powers, and take effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• State Forester and Alabama Forestry Commission staff – would gain annual and sick leave and travel reimbursement; their authority to appoint forest law enforcement officers would be removed.
• Private landowners, land managers, and the general public in Alabama – would face stricter burn permit requirements, risk new penalties for unsafe burns, and may be subject to wildfire alerts or drought emergency restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the State Forester to earn annual and sick leave and receive travel reimbursement as if a state employee.
• Removes the Alabama Forestry Commission's authority to appoint forest law enforcement officers.
• Refines the burn permit process for prescribed burns and allows the State Forester to approve or deny permits based on conditions.
• Creates a Class B misdemeanor for conducting a prescribed burn without a permit.
• Increases penalties for violations of fire prevention measures during drought to a Class B misdemeanor.
• Requires vehicles and equipment seized in timber or forest crimes to be delivered to the State Forester or designee.
• Repeals provisions governing forest fire wardens and related penalties.
• Adds wildfire alert and drought wildfire emergency authorities and procedures.
• Allows burn permits to be issued electronically and sets criteria to verify permit applicants' ability to control burns.
• 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

Conservation & Natural Resources