The SEC on Thursday passed new legislation aimed to cut down on potentially dangerous field-storming incidents.

An increased fine structure was established that doubled the maximum while adding measures aimed at preventing run-ins with fans and opposing athletes/coaches.

The new rule’s language, released to reporters at the SEC spring meetings, also permits schools to adopt policies that allow fans onto the playing surface once all visiting teams and/or game officials leave the area.

Fines will now be paid to the opposing schools instead of the previous model that had the money go to an SEC scholarship fund. The new fine structure:

• First offense: $100,000 (up from $50,000)
• Second offense: $250,000 (up from $100,000)
• Third and up: $500,000 (up from $250,000)

Under this plan, Alabama would have been paid $1 million last year with $500,000 apiece from Tennessee and LSU after the field was rushed after both Tide losses.

The legislation also states the league commissioner “may also impose additional penalties as he or she deems appropriate.”

With the new structure, every school’s field/court-storming meter resets to zero after several hit three since the last time fines were increased in 2015. Alabama, Mississippi State, Georgia and Florida were the only four SEC schools never fined as part of the field/court-storming legislation first adopted in 2004.

Alabama AD Greg Byrne was part of a three-person working group tasked with finding solutions to field-storming incidents that turned ugly. He suggested stripping home games from offending teams but he acknowledged the support for such drastic change wasn’t there.

A host of other new regulations on the matter have a preventative intent.

• Schools must provide security and uniform law enforcement to protect both teams before, during and after games.
• Drop-off areas for teams and officials must be secure with no access for the general public.
• If a field or court is stormed, uniformed law enforcement and equipment must be used to protect the visiting team. The equipment examples listed include ropes, barricades and expandable tunnels).
• Postgame handshakes can be skipped in the case of fans entering the playing surface.

Also, before Aug. 1, every school must provide the SEC with a detailed court/field-storming management plan. They’re also required to make a communication plan meant to educate and discourage fans from rushing the field when it’s not allowed.

The part of the plan that opens the door for fans to enter the field after the visiting team exits would fit in line with traditions like Clemson’s. Fans flood the field after every home Tiger win.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.