§41-1-1. Sovereignty and jurisdiction of state; territorial waters; legislative findings.

(a) The sovereignty and jurisdiction of the state extend to all places within the boundaries of the state, but the extent of the jurisdiction over places that have been or may be ceded to the United States is qualified by the terms of the cession.

(b) The limits and boundaries of the territorial waters of the State of Alabama for management and protection of marine resources shall consist of all territory included within the boundaries described in the Act of Congress of March 2, 1819, together with all territory ceded to the State of Alabama by later acts of Congress or by compacts or agreements with other states or the United States, extending seaward to a distance of three Marine Leagues.

(c) The Legislature hereby finds, determines, and declares the following:

(1) Significant inequitable disparities exist in the limits and boundaries of the territorial waters among the Gulf Coast States of Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

(2) These inequities have resulted in economic and recreational losses to the State of Alabama, its political subdivisions, and its citizens.

(3) It is the policy and purpose of the State of Alabama by this section to place itself on an equal footing with the other Gulf Coast States with regard to the limits and boundaries of the territorial waters of the State of Alabama for management and protection of marine resources.

(4) This subsection shall be liberally construed to effect the policy and purposes hereof.

(Code 1852, §18; Code 1867, §19; Code 1876, §15; Code 1886, §15; Code 1896, §3749; Code 1907, §2056; Code 1923, §2993; Code 1940, T. 55, §10; Act 2014-243, §§1, 2.)