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

Plain English Breakdown

The official text states the bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment in metadata, but also lists 'Pending Committee Action' as the last action; this status conflict is noted.

HB509: Defense for Traffic Obstruction Cases

This bill creates a legal defense in civil lawsuits if the person suing was injured or suffered damage while willfully blocking traffic on public roads.

What This Bill Does

• Creates an affirmative defense in civil cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage.
• Allows this defense if the plaintiff willfully obstructed a street, highway, bridge, or road by impeding traffic, standing on it, or endangering vehicles and pedestrians.
• Requires courts to pause (stay) the civil lawsuit while any related criminal case is being decided.

Who It Names or Affects

• People sued for causing injury, death, or damage when someone blocks traffic.
• Courts handling these specific types of civil lawsuits in Alabama.
• Individuals who willfully obstruct public roads and are later involved in a related criminal case.

Terms To Know

Affirmative defense

A legal argument that says the defendant should not be held responsible because of special circumstances, even if the facts happened as described by the plaintiff.

Civil action

A lawsuit between private parties where one person asks a court for money or other relief, rather than criminal punishment.

Limits and Unknowns

• The defense only applies if the traffic obstruction was done willfully.
• This bill does not take effect until October 1, 2026.
• The text does not explain how a court decides what counts as 'willful' blocking.

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

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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