HB54 Summary

• Amends the Alabama Underwater Cultural Resources Act by adding a new definition of "artifacts" as any man-made object.

• Redefines "cultural resources" to clarify that it includes underwater archaeological treasures, artifacts, and other materials associated with shipwrecks that have remained unclaimed for more than 50 years and are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

• Permits lawful recovery of abandoned artifacts that are not classified as cultural resources from submerged lands under navigable rivers in Alabama without requiring a permit or contract from the Alabama Historical Commission.

• Requires registration of any man-made objects lawfully recovered under this provision with the Alabama Historical Commission, including the Global Positioning System (GPS) location of each artifact.

• Preserves existing federal protections for archaeological resources on federal lands within Alabama under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act.