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Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama sets 20-year minimum prison sentence and expands first-degree arson definition to include thefts causing $25,000 or more in damage
Last action · April 16, 2026: EnactedSponsor: David Faulkner
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What This Bill Does
Alabama expands first-degree arson to include fires or explosions started during a theft that cause at least $25,000 in damages while someone is present, and mandates a minimum 20-year consecutive prison sentence starting October 1, 2026.
Convicted individuals face mandatory lengthy prison terms that must be served consecutively with sentences for related crimes, altering sentencing rules for property and violent offenses.
- Section 13A-7-41 of the Code of Alabama 1975 previously defined the elements and penalties for arson in the first degree prior to these amendments. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Individuals convicted of first-degree arson
Convicted individuals face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 20 years served consecutively with other sentences.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What new condition qualifies as first-degree arson under this law?
What is the mandatory minimum prison sentence for first-degree arson?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Became law.
Procedural history
19 actions- Apr 16, 2026HouseEnrolledEnacted
- Apr 9, 2026HouseEnrolledDelivered to Governor
- Apr 9, 2026SenateSignature Requested
- Apr 9, 2026HouseEnrolled
- Apr 9, 2026HouseReady to Enroll
- Apr 8, 2026SenateFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1279
Show 13 earlier actions
- Mar 3, 2026SenateRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Mar 3, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Out of Committee Second House
- Feb 25, 2026SenateCommitteePending Committee Action in Second House
- Feb 25, 2026SenateIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary
- Feb 24, 2026HouseEngrossed
- Feb 24, 2026HouseFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 571
- Feb 24, 2026HouseMotion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 570
- Feb 24, 2026HouseJudiciary Engrossed Substitute Offered
- Feb 24, 2026HouseThird Reading in House of Origin
- Feb 12, 2026HouseRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Feb 11, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 22, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Jan 22, 2026HouseIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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