HB376 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Trails Commission, established in Economic and Community Affairs Department, promotion of Alabama Trails System, advisory board established
Summary: HB376 creates the Alabama Trails Commission within the Department of Economic and Community Affairs to develop and promote a statewide trails system, with an advisory board to guide its work.
What This Bill Does
It establishes the Alabama Trails Commission and an Alabama Trails Commission Advisory Board to oversee trail development, interconnection, and use across the state. It defines what counts as a trail and who qualifies as trail users, assigns duties to build and coordinate trails (including water trails), review designations, and encourage public-private partnerships, with annual reporting to the Legislature and a plan for nonprofit fundraising and outreach. It also sets up staffing, operating procedures, rotation of regional planning council representation, diversity requirements, and terms for commissioners and advisory board members.

Who It Affects
Trail users and the general public in Alabama (such as hikers, cyclists, paddlers, equestrians, and other outdoor enthusiasts) who would gain a more connected, developed system of trails and related recreational opportunities.
State and local government entities, regional planning councils, and private/nonprofit partners involved in trail governance, funding, and development (including ADECA, ALDOT, Department of Tourism, Conservation and Natural Resources, regional councils, local governments, the Business Council of Alabama, and organizations that would form a nonprofit fundraising entity).

Key Provisions
Creates the Alabama Trails Commission within the Department of Economic and Community Affairs to develop and promote the Alabama Trails System and to define the commission's duties and an advisory board.
Defines 'trail' and 'trail user community' and sets the commission's mission to advance development, interconnection, and use of both land-based trails and freshwater/saltwater paddling trails throughout the state.
Specifies the commission's composition (11 Members) including governor-appointed trail experts, Lt. Governor, Speaker, ADECA, ALDOT, Tourism, Conservation and Natural Resources, Governor's staff, regional planning councils, local governments, and the Business Council of Alabama; requires rotation among regional planning councils and diversity considerations.
Outlines the commission's duties: develop and support the trail system; create interconnected networks of trails and related sites; review designation proposals; encourage public-private partnerships; track progress and update implementation plans; promote trail support organizations; and coordinate intergovernmental efforts and funding, including forming a nonprofit to support fundraising and outreach.
Establishes an Alabama Trails Commission Advisory Board within ADECA with specific appointing authorities (Senate, House, Alabama Recreational Trails Advisory Board, university, forestry, agriculture, health, retirement systems, U.S. Forest Service, power industry, Farmers Federation, Army Corps of Engineers, and NRCS) and a two-year term structure with rotation for some seats; creates rules for vacancies and term limits.
Specifies no compensation for commission/advisory board members but allows reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses; requires the commission to report annually to the Legislature on progress, plans, milestones, and diversity compliance; requires immediate effectiveness.

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