The Alabama Senate recently unanimously approved inventory legislation to make looting a felony if it occurs after a state of emergency has been declared in an area.

The inventory compliance legislation change - which was spurred by the outbreak of tornadoes that hit Alabama last year - was developed by Attorney General Luther Strange in collaboration with state law officers. It was unanimously passed in the House last month.

Specifically, Senate Bill 302 and House Bill 340 make the looting of a company's inventory or a home's contents a class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of as much as $15,000.

"I am pleased that the House and now the Senate has acted to protect Alabamians in these times of severe disaster and crisis," said Strange in a statement. "It has become all too evident that Alabama needs a stronger law to protect our citizens."

"This bill will ensure that those who prey upon the victims of tragedy will not simply receive a slap on the wrist," said Tuscaloosa Republican Senator Gerald Allen, as quoted by WALA-TV.