Alabama
SB 17 / HB 21: New Penalties for Protests Near Gas and Oil Pipelines
Expands the definition of "critical infrastructure" under Alabama law to include pipelines and mining operations, such that protesters who enter onto pipeline property could face steep penalties. Preexisting Alabama law prohibited individuals from unauthorized entry onto critical infrastructure, defined as intentionally entering a posted area of critical infrastructure; the offense is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000. Under this law, if a person interrupts or interferes with the operations of critical infrastructure while trespassing, they would additionally be guilty of a Class C felony, punishable by at least one and up to ten years in prison. This law also expanded the definition of "person" to include nonprofits, creating the possibility that nonprofits who provide support or organizing for environmental protests near critical infrastructure where individuals then trespass could face organizational liability. The draft law was pre-filed for the 2022 legislative session in September 2021. It is nearly identical to HB 516 introduced in 2021.
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See full text of bill here)
Status: enacted
Introduced 11 Jan 2022; Approved by Senate 1 February 2022; Approved by House 10 February 2022; Signed by Governor Ivey 15 February 2022
Issue(s): Protest Supporters or Funders, Infrastructure, Trespass
Alabama
HB 412: Felony penalties for protesters near gas and oil pipelines
Would substantially increase existing penalties that could cover protesters who demonstrate on pipeline property. Under the bill, unauthorized entry onto “critical infrastructure,” which includes pipelines, would be a Class D felony punishable by at least one and up to five years in prison, rather than a serious misdemeanor. As such, demonstrators who enter onto pipeline property could face felony arrest and significant prison time. The trespass offense covers entry onto areas of “critical infrastructure” that are not posted against trespassing or enclosed by a physical barrier, if any authorized person forbids entry.
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See full text of bill here)
Status: pending
Introduced 6 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): Infrastructure, Trespass
Alabama
HB 516: NEW PENALTIES FOR PROTESTS NEAR GAS AND OIL PIPELINES
Would create new criminal penalties for protesters on pipeline property. The bill expands the definition of "critical infrastructure" under Alabama law to include pipelines and mining operations. Alabama law currently prohibits unauthorized entry onto critical infrastructure, defined as intentionally entering a posted area of critical infrastructure; the offense is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000. Under the bill, if a person interrupts or interferes with the operations of critical infrastructure, they would additionally be guilty of a Class C felony, punishable by at least one and up to 10 years in prison. (See full text of bill here)
Status: defeated / expired
Introduced 9 Mar 2021.
Issue(s): Infrastructure, Trespass
Alabama
SB 45: New penalties for protests near gas and oil pipelines
Would amend existing state law to create new criminal penalties for conduct that may occur in the course of peaceful protests near oil or gas pipelines and other infrastructure facilities. Alabama already criminalizes trespass onto "critical infrastructure," pursuant to law passed in 2016. The bill would expand the law's definition of "critical infrastructure" to include "pipelines," such that a person who trespasses onto pipeline property could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by one year in jail and a $6,000 fine. The bill would also create a new felony offense for any person who "injures," "interrupts or interferes with" critical infrastructure while trespassing. Such an act would be a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $15,000. HB 36 has similar provisions in the House and was introduced January 23, 2020. (See full text of bill here)
Status: defeated / expired
Introduced 4 Feb 2020; Approved by Senate 12 March 2020
Issue(s): Infrastructure, Trespass
