Alabama House Bill HB172

Alabama 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/22
• Refer: 1/18/22

Caption

Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017, renamed Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2021, term limits provided for members of Committee on Alabama Monument Protection, duties of committee regarding petitions for waiver and petitions to raze provided, additional fines imposed, duties of Attorney General provided, punitive damages authorized, Secs. 41-9-235.1, 41-9-235.2 added; Secs. 41-9-230, 41-9-231, 41-9-232, 41-9-233, 41-9-234, 41-9-235, 41-9-236, 41-9-237 am'd.

Impact

The bill introduces term limits for members of the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection, granting them authority to review and approve or deny applications for waivers that allow certain disturbances or razings of historically significant sites. Additionally, the act imposes daily fines for ongoing violations against these protections, which underscores the newly heightened consequences for governmental entities that fail to adhere to the regulations set forth in the act. This establishes a more robust framework for enforcing compliance with preservation standards.

Summary

House Bill 172 renames the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 to the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2021. This renaming also comes with revisions to definitions and stipulations related to the disturbance of historically significant structures on public property, including buildings, memorials, and streets. The bill aims to clarify and strengthen the current protections afforded to these sites, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical markers that are deemed significant to the state’s cultural heritage.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise around the scope of the law and its potential implications for local governance and decision-making. Critics could argue that the bill places excessive restrictions on local governments' attempts to manage and update memorials and public sites in responses to contemporary social perspectives, potentially hindering local autonomy. Supporters might counter that the bill is essential for maintaining Alabama’s historical integrity and preventing arbitrary alterations to sites of public significance.