HB509 • 2026

Civil practice; affirmative defenses; limitation of liability for damages sustained for obstructing traffic for the obstruction of vehicle traffic, established

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Stringer
Last action: 2026-02-24
Official status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill has passed both chambers of the Alabama Legislature but its final status is pending committee action.

Limiting Liability for Obstructing Traffic

This bill creates an affirmative defense in civil lawsuits if someone is injured or property damaged while willfully obstructing traffic on public roads.

What This Bill Does

Creates an affirmative defense in civil lawsuits if the damage was caused by willfully blocking traffic on public roads.
Lists specific actions that count as obstructing traffic, such as impeding vehicles and standing in the road.
Allows a court to pause a civil case if there is a related criminal case involving the same facts.

Who It Names or Affects

People who are involved in civil lawsuits where someone was hurt or property damaged while obstructing traffic.
Courts that handle these types of cases.

Terms To Know

Affirmative defense: A legal argument used to defend against a claim by showing there are special reasons why the other side should not win, even if their facts are true.
Civil action: A lawsuit between individuals or organizations in court to resolve disputes about money, property, or rights.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if the obstructing traffic was due to an emergency.
It is unclear how this law will be enforced and interpreted by courts.

Bill History

2026-02-24 House
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-02-24 House
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary

Official Summary Text

Civil practice; affirmative defenses; limitation of liability for damages sustained for obstructing traffic for the obstruction of vehicle traffic, established

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB509 INTRODUCED
Page 0
HB509
DGC54NH-1
By Representative Stringer
RFD: Judiciary
First Read: 24-Feb-26
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DGC54NH-1 02/10/2026 CMH (L)CMH 2026-739
Page 1
First Read: 24-Feb-26
SYNOPSIS:
This bill would provide an affirmative defense
to a civil action for damages for personal injury,
wrongful death, or property damage if the plaintiff's
injury, death, or damage was sustained while
obstructing traffic on a street, highway, bridge, or
road under certain conditions.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to civil practice; to establish an affirmative
defense relating to the damages incurred while obstructing
traffic on a street, highway, bridge, or road under certain
conditions; and to further provide procedures for such
actions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) In a civil action for damages for
personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage, a party
to the action shall be entitled to an affirmative defense if
the party establishes that the personal injury, wrongful
death, or property damage was sustained by an individual who
willfully obstructed the free, convenient, and normal use of
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HB509 INTRODUCED
Page 2
willfully obstructed the free, convenient, and normal use of
any public street, highway, bridge, or road by doing any of
the following:
(1) Impeding, hindering, stifling, or restraining
traffic or passage on the street, highway, bridge, or road.
(2) Standing on or remaining in the street, highway,
bridge, or road.
(3) Endangering the safe movement of vehicles or
pedestrians traveling on the street, highway, bridge, or road.
(b) In a civil action in which a defendant raises an
affirmative defense under this section, the court, on motion
by the defendant, shall stay the action during the pendency of
any criminal action the factual basis of which forms the
factual basis for the defense.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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