HB242 - Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2021

• Renames the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 to the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2021 and revises protections for historically significant buildings, memorial buildings, memorial schools, memorial streets, and monuments on public property.

• Establishes term limits for Committee on Alabama Monument Protection members (no consecutive terms; 4-year waiting period after expiration before reappointment) and authorizes the committee to review and grant or deny petitions for waivers and petitions to raze protected memorials.

• Imposes fines of $25,000 per violation by the Attorney General for entities violating the act, and $10,000 per day for government officials and governing body members who vote in favor of violations; all fines deposited into the Alabama State Historic Preservation Fund.

• Authorizes individuals and heritage organizations to commence legal actions on behalf of the state for violations, with available remedies including punitive damages, restoration costs, restitution for misuse of public funds, and temporary restraining orders without posting security.

• Requires replacement buildings or permanent memorial markers to bear the name of any razed historically significant or memorial building, and makes the act effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.