HR85 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thad McClammy

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

U. S. Congress/Federal Government urged to indemnify Alabama counties for lost sixteenth section lands from offshore gulf oil revenues, Attorney General to provide oversight, amounts provided

Summary

A non-binding House resolution urging Congress to indemnify Alabama counties from offshore Gulf oil revenues for lost sixteenth-section lands, with Attorney General oversight and per-county payment allocations.

What This Bill Does

If adopted, HR85 asks Congress to annually pay each Alabama county an amount reflecting the value of lost sixteenth-section lands, using a specified calculation based on offshore royalty revenues. It provides a per-county schedule and directs the Attorney General to oversee the collection, distribution, and any rulemaking. It also tasks Alabama's congressional delegation to pursue the needed federal action and to ensure that these funds are additive to existing education funding in the counties. Copies of the resolution would be sent to federal leaders to raise awareness.

Who It Affects

• Alabama counties would receive annual indemnification payments calculated from lost sixteenth-section lands using offshore royalty revenues.
• Local education funding in each county would be safeguarded so indemnification funds increase, not replace, existing education funding.

Key Provisions

• Congress is urged to annually indemnify each Alabama county from offshore royalty revenues for lost sixteenth-section lands, using a defined methodology.
• Indemnification amounts are calculated per county based on the number of lost sixteenth-section acres and a per-acre value derived from 2008 offshore royalty revenues (example framework provided).
• The methodology involves comparing total sixteenth-section acres attributed to a county to a standard total and multiplying the difference by a per-acre value to determine the county's payment.
• Attorney General would oversee the process, including distribution and any necessary rules or administrative actions.
• Alabama's Congressional Delegation is requested to actively pursue annual indemnification, including enacting federal legislation and implementing administrative actions.
• Sufficient safeguards require that indemnification funds increase and do not supplant or replace any existing state or local funds for education in the county.
• Copies of the resolution would be provided to Alabama’s congressional delegation and federal leaders to inform them of the state’s interest.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative