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HB 414

Feral Swine; criminal penalty deleted for transporting swine; conservation department prohibited from restricting transport

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brett Easterbrook

HB 414 eliminates criminal penalties and conservation department authority to restrict swine transport in Alabama, potentially undermining disease control and feral population management.

Re-referred to Committee in House of Origin (Agriculture and Forestry)
#conservation&naturalresources
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Bill Summary · HB 414

Legislative bill overview

HB 414 removes the criminal penalty for transporting swine in Alabama and prohibits the state conservation department from restricting such transport. Currently, Alabama law allows criminal penalties for moving swine without proper documentation, ostensibly to control feral swine populations and disease spread. This bill eliminates those enforcement tools.

Why is this important

Feral swine are an invasive species causing significant agricultural and environmental damage across the South, including crop destruction, soil degradation, and disease transmission to domestic livestock. The ability to restrict swine transport is a key regulatory mechanism wildlife agencies use to prevent spread of feral populations and diseases like African swine fever. Removing these restrictions could undermine disease control efforts and complicate state wildlife management.

Potential points of contention

  • Disease control concerns: Eliminating transport restrictions may increase risk of spreading African swine fever and other transmissible diseases between regions, affecting both wild and domestic pig populations
  • Agricultural impact: Reduced oversight of swine movement could exacerbate feral swine damage to farmland and natural ecosystems across the state
  • Interstate commerce implications: Unrestricted swine transport could create spillover problems in neighboring states and complicate regional wildlife management coordination
  • Constitutional authority questions: Whether the legislature can prevent a conservation agency from exercising regulatory authority over invasive species management

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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