HB49 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Alan Boothe

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Artis McCampbell

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Environment, Alabama Drought Assessment and Planning Team established within Economic and Community Affairs Department, power and duties, the Monitoring and Impacts Group Subcommittee established, membership, duties, responsibilities

Summary

HB49 creates a formal Alabama drought planning and response system by establishing ADAPT and MIG, a statewide drought plan, and the governor’s emergency powers to manage drought conditions.

What This Bill Does

It codifies the Alabama Drought Assessment and Planning Team (ADAPT) and its Monitoring and Impacts Group (MIG), defining who is in them and what they do, with ADECA providing administrative support. It requires the Office of Water Resources (OWR) to publish a State Drought Plan, outline how drought levels are defined, how declarations are issued, how data is collected, and how water conservation is encouraged, with updates at least every five years. It also requires community water systems to develop drought conservation plans and report restrictions; empowers OWR and ADAPT to issue drought declarations and supports the Governor in declaring a drought emergency with potential water restrictions or allocations; and coordinates with the State Climatologist and other agencies to monitor drought conditions and respond accordingly.

Who It Affects

• Public community water systems in Alabama – must develop drought conservation plans, implement measures based on drought severity, and report water-use restrictions and related actions to the Office of Water Resources.
• State and local government agencies and officials involved in water resources and emergency management (e.g., ADAPT, MIG, OWR, ADECA, AEMA, ADEM, ADCNR, State Geologist, State Climatologist, State Forester) – have duties to plan, monitor, declare droughts, coordinate responses, and implement any resulting actions or emergency measures.

Key Provisions

• Creates ADAPT and its Monitoring and Impacts Group (MIG) with defined membership (including state agencies, watershed authorities, at-large governor appointments, and others) and authorizes inviting federal or county representatives as non-voting members.
• ADAPT chair and MIG chair roles; ADAPT to advise on statewide drought plan, assess conditions, advise the Governor on drought emergencies, and recommend water restrictions; MIG to collect drought data and impacts and suggest mitigation strategies.
• OWR must publish a State Drought Plan detailing drought levels, operating procedures for ADAPT and MIG, data collection and dissemination, declaration procedures, inputs for drought monitoring, water conservation measures, and public outreach; plan updated at least every five years.
• OWR and ADAPT can issue drought declarations; the Governor can declare a drought emergency and impose or allocate water restrictions as needed, with geographic scope and conditions specified.
• Community water systems must develop drought conservation plans with enforcement mechanisms and submit copies to OWR; OWR to maintain a drought information clearinghouse and share data publicly.
• State Climatologist and OWR coordinate input to the drought monitor; the drought plan includes coordination procedures with these offices.
• OWR may promulgate rules to implement the act; the act is severable and becomes effective after a specified period following passage.

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

Subjects

Environment