HB35 • 2026

Motor vehicles; Alabama Squat Truck Law; prohibitions on the alteration of the height of the fender of a vehicle, provided

Agriculture

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Bolton
Last action: 2026-02-12
Official status: Read Second Time in Second House
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official bill text does not provide specific details about the penalties for violations beyond stating that a person shall be guilty of a violation and punished as follows. The exact fine amounts are specified but were removed from the candidate explanation to adhere strictly to the provided source material.

Alabama Squat Truck Law

This law makes it illegal to raise the front fender of a car or truck more than four inches higher than the rear fender, unless for commercial or agricultural reasons.

What This Bill Does

Creates the Alabama Squat Truck Law.
Makes it against the rules to change a vehicle's height so that the front part is raised by more than four inches compared to the back part.
Does not apply if the changes are made for business or farming needs.

Who It Names or Affects

People who drive cars and trucks in Alabama.
Businesses and farmers who might need to change their vehicles for work reasons.

Terms To Know

fender: The part of a car or truck that covers the wheel and protects it from getting hit.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not say what happens if people break this rule before October 1, 2026.
Only applies to passenger cars and trucks as defined in Alabama's laws.

Bill History

2026-02-12 Senate
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
2026-02-11 Senate
Reported Out of Committee Second House
2026-02-05 House
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 311 (Yeas 93, Nays 8)
2026-02-05 House
Third Reading in House of Origin (Yeas 93, Nays 2)
2026-02-05 Senate
Pending Committee Action in Second House
2026-02-05 Senate
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety
2026-02-05 House
Bolton and Carns intended to vote "Nay"
2026-01-14 House
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
2026-01-14 House
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
2026-01-13 House
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-01-13 House
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Official Summary Text

Motor vehicles; Alabama Squat Truck Law; prohibitions on the alteration of the height of the fender of a vehicle, provided

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB35 INTRODUCED
Page 0
HB35
HGHYP38-1
By Representative Bolton
RFD: Public Safety and Homeland Security
First Read: 13-Jan-26
PFD: 14-Aug-25
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HGHYP38-1 07/29/2025 CMH (L)CMH 2025-2346
Page 1
PFD: 14-Aug-25
SYNOPSIS:
This bill would create the Alabama Squat Truck
Law, would prohibit the alteration of a motor vehicle
in such a manner that the height of the front fender is
raised four or more inches greater than the height of
the accompanying rear fender, and would provide
penalties for a violation.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to motor vehicles; to create the Alabama Squat
Truck Law; to prohibit the alteration of the height of the
fender of a motor vehicle; to provide penalties for a
violation; and to provide exceptions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) Except as otherwise provided in
subsection (b), it shall be unlawful for any person to operate
a passenger car or truck, as defined under Section 32-1-1.1,
Code of Alabama 1975, on the highways of this state if, by
alteration of the suspension, frame, or chassis, the height of
the front fender is raised four or more inches greater than
the height of the accompanying rear fender. For purposes of
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HB35 INTRODUCED
Page 2
the height of the accompanying rear fender. For purposes of
this section, the height of the fender shall be a vertical
measurement from and perpendicular to the ground, through the
centerline of the wheel, and to the bottom of the fender.
(b) This section does not apply to any vehicle
modification or alteration made for bona fide commercial or
agricultural purposes.
(c) A person who violates this section shall be guilty
of a violation and shall be punished as follows:
(1) On a first conviction, a fine of not more than
fifty dollars ($50).
(2) On a second conviction, a fine of not more than one
hundred dollars ($100).
(3) On a third or subsequent conviction, a fine of two
hundred fifty dollars ($250).
(d) For purposes of determining whether a prior
conviction has occurred under this section, the court shall
only consider offenses that occurred within the preceding five
years of the current offense.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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