Alabama 2022 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB54

Introduced

1/11/22

Refer

1/11/22

Caption

Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, governmental entity that replaces a memorial building required to maintain original name or erect a marker memorializing the name, If Committee on Alabama Monument Protection fails to act on an application for waiver within 90 days the petition for waiver is deemed denied, penalties revised, Sec. 41-9-238 added; Secs. 41-9-233, 41-9-235 am'd.

Impact

The bill also establishes a process for waivers regarding alterations or removals of memorials, wherein a petition for waiver will be deemed denied if the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection does not act within 90 days. Furthermore, it revises penalties for violations, allowing the Attorney General to initiate civil actions against entities that fail to comply with the requirements. This could lead to stricter enforcement of memorial preservation in Alabama, impacting how local governments manage their historically significant sites.

Summary

SB54 amends the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017, focusing on the management of architecturally significant buildings and memorials on public property. The primary aim of the bill is to ensure that when a memorial building is replaced, the original name must be maintained or a marker must be erected to honor the name. This is intended to safeguard the historical significance of such structures and acknowledge the individuals they were dedicated to, preventing their historical context from being lost over time.

Contention

Notably, the bill includes provisions for the construction of a statue commemorating civil rights leader John Lewis, which will be overseen by the Alabama Historical Commission. This element is significant, as it intertwines the legislative intent with ongoing discussions about civil rights and the acknowledgment of historical figures in public spaces. However, there may be contention surrounding the broader implications of centrally controlling local memorials and the nuanced meanings behind historical representation in Alabama.

Latest SB54 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

AL HB246

Monuments, Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017, a county or municipality authorize to remove any monument located on public property for less than 50 years, a waiver required from Committee on Alabama Monument Protection before monument can be removed that has been situated for 50 years of more, Sec. 41-9-230 repealed; Secs. 41-9-231 to 41-9-237, inclusive, am'd.

AL SB51

Alabama Memorial Preservation, memorializing marker required under certain circumstances, failure of committee to act results in denial of waiver, fine revised, and duties of Attorney General specified

AL SB237

To amend Sections 41-9-233 and 41-9-235, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017; to require a controlling governmental entity that replaces a memorial building to maintain the original name or erect a marker memorializing the name; to provide that a petition for waiver is deemed denied if the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection fails to act on an application for waiver within 90 days; to revise penalties for violations; to authorize the Attorney General to commence a civil action; and to require the Alabama State Council on the Arts to oversee the design, construction, and installation of a replica Saturn 1B Rocket at the most northern I-65 rest stop in the state.

AL HB172

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.