There's a push in the Alabama House and Senate to make looting a class C felony. Right now the state doesn't have any type of law that deals with looting. People suspected of looting can only be charged with theft or burglary.
After the April 27 tornado 86 people were arrested in Tuscaloosa. Most of them are charged with trespassing and burglary, but if this new law had been in place last spring, they could have been charged with looting.
Stephen Miller with the Boys and Girls Clubs in Tuscaloosa knows first hand what it feels like to be a victim of looting.
"On April 28 we had some windows broken. We had some toilets that were destroyed. We had some mirrors that were broken, countertops that someone had taken a bat to and basically destroyed," said Miller.
The club has since rebuilt since April 27th and Miller hopes tougher legislation will prevent others from becoming victims as well.
"I think any type of legislation to prevent such things is commendable. I don't know how easily such things will be enforced but I think a law or ordinance that can be put in place to stop it or stiffen the penalties for it will be great," said Miller.
State Representative John Merrill is hoping the bill will deter would-be criminals.
"These people are vultures. They're the scum of the earth," said Merrill.
Merrill says the looting law would only be in affect when an area is declared a disaster. If convicted of looting a person could spend up to 10 years and jail and pay a $15,000 fine.
"We already have some laws that are on the books but they're not tough enough and I really think it took something like April 27th for everyone to see we need tougher laws to deal with those people who have no regard for other people," said Merrill.
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