House Bill 271 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Feb 10, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Shane StringerRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Hunting and Fishing Licenses; lifetime disabled resident licenses established
Summary: HB271 would establish lifetime disabled-resident hunting and fishing licenses in Alabama (in lieu of annual licenses), with age-based fees and funding to endowment funds, effective October 1, 2026.
What This Bill Does
The bill creates lifetime disabled-resident licenses for hunting, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing. Eligible residents can buy a lifetime license instead of an annual one, paying a fee to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; the fee is $50 for those under 50 and $30 for those 50 and older, plus a $1 issuance fee, and money goes to endowment funds (hunting/freshwater licenses to the Alabama Game and Fish Endowment Fund; saltwater licenses to the Alabama Marine Resources Endowment Fund). The licenses are non-transferable and give the holder all privileges of a wildlife heritage license. The program becomes effective October 1, 2026, beginning with the 2026 license year.

Who It Affects
Totally and permanently disabled Alabama residents who currently qualify for annual licenses and would be eligible to purchase lifetime licenses instead.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (administrative body) and the two endowment funds (Alabama Game and Fish Endowment Fund; Alabama Marine Resources Endowment Fund) that will process applications and receive the license fees.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 9-11-54.1 to authorize lifetime disabled resident licenses for hunting, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing.
Lifetime Disabled Resident Hunting License: under 50 pay $50; 50 and older pay $30; fees deposited into the Alabama Game and Fish Endowment Fund; $1 issuance fee per license.
Lifetime Disabled Freshwater Fishing License: under 50 pay $50; 50 and older pay $30; fees deposited into the Alabama Game and Fish Endowment Fund; $1 issuance fee per license.
Lifetime Disabled Saltwater Fishing License: under 50 pay $50; 50 and older pay $30; fees deposited into the Alabama Marine Resources Endowment Fund; $1 issuance fee per license.
License is not transferable and grants all privileges of a Wildlife Heritage license; fees subject to adjustment under existing law.

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