HB251 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Barry Mask

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

State Docks Bulk Handling Facility Trust Fund, excess funds, all transfers removed except transfer to General Fund, Sec. 40-13-6 am'd.

Summary

HB251 would restrict the Alabama State Docks Bulk Handling Facility Trust Fund’s excess money to be transferred only to the State General Fund, ending automatic transfers to several local and nonprofit entities.

What This Bill Does

It changes how excess funds in the Alabama State Docks Bulk Handling Facility Trust Fund are distributed by removing transfers to multiple local funds, authorities, and foundations and keeping only the transfer to the State General Fund. Starting with the 1992-93 fiscal year, it sets specific fixed allocations from the remaining funds: $300,000 to the Alabama Mining Academy, $500,000 to the Tuscaloosa County General Fund, $500,000 to the Jefferson County General Fund, $200,000 to the Walker County Economic and Industrial Development Authority, with the rest going to the State General Fund; it also outlines detailed distribution rules for Tuscaloosa County’s allocations and prorating if funds are insufficient. Beginning in 2006-07, it adds annual transfers of $100,000 each to five organizations (Community Development Foundation, Marion County Community Development Association, West Alabama Development Association of Fayette County, Jackson County Economic Development Association, and West Alabama Economic Development Association) and requires annual audits by the Examiners of Public Accounts with reports to the Legislature. Section 1 also requires a portion of the Mining Academy funds to be used to retrain coal miners who have lost their jobs. The act becomes effective immediately upon passage and governor’s approval.

Who It Affects

• Alabama State Docks Bulk Handling Facility Trust Fund and Alabama State Docks Department — funds will be redirected away from local and nonprofit recipients and toward the State General Fund (with exceptions for specified allocations).
• Alabama Mining Academy — designated $300,000 annually starting 1992-93 to support retraining initiatives for coal miners who lose their jobs.
• Tuscaloosa County General Fund, Towns of Vance and Brookwood, Tuscaloosa County Public Library, and Tuscaloosa County Board of Education — receive specific annual allocations under the new distribution rules, with prorating if funds are insufficient.
• Jefferson County General Fund — receives $500,000 annually starting 1992-93 under the new schedule.
• Walker County Economic and Industrial Development Authority — receives $200,000 annually starting 1992-93.
• Community Development Foundation, Marion County Community Development Association, West Alabama Development Association (Fayette County), Jackson County Economic Development Association, West Alabama Economic Development Association — receive $100,000 annually starting 2006-07 and must be audited each year.
• Examiners of Public Accounts and the Legislature — gain new audit requirements and oversight for entities receiving funds.
• Coal miners who have been terminated — potential retraining opportunities funded by Mining Academy allocations.

Key Provisions

• Amend Section 40-13-6 to remove all transfers of excess severance tax proceeds from the Alabama State Docks Bulk Handling Facility Trust Fund to the named local funds, authorities, and foundations, leaving only the transfer to the State General Fund.
• From 1992-93 onward, allocate the remaining funds after the transfer to the State Docks Department as follows: $300,000 to the Alabama Mining Academy; $500,000 to the Tuscaloosa County General Fund; $500,000 to the Jefferson County General Fund; $200,000 to the Walker County E&D Authority; and the balance to the State General Fund, with detailed Tuscaloosa County distribution rules and prorating if funds are insufficient.
• Starting 2006-07, add annual transfers of $100,000 to five organizations (Community Development Foundation, Marion County CDA, West Alabama Development Association of Fayette County, Jackson County EDA, West Alabama EDA) and require annual audits by Examiners of Public Accounts with reports to the Legislature.
• Require that a portion of the Mining Academy funds be used to retrain coal miners who have lost employment.
• Set the act to become effective immediately upon passage and governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

State Docks