SB51 Summary

• Amends the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 to require governmental entities that raze architecturally significant or memorial buildings to maintain the original building name on any replacement structure or erect a commemorative marker if the building is not replaced.

• Establishes an automatic denial of waiver petitions if the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection fails to act on an application within 90 days after submission.

• Reduces civil penalties for violations from $25,000 per violation to $5,000 per day that the violation continues, with fines collected and deposited into the Alabama State Historic Preservation Fund.

• Authorizes the Attorney General to commence civil actions to enjoin violations and to stay fines upon written request if restoration has begun, with discretionary stay authority.

• Becomes effective October 1, 2024.