SB20 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Gerald H. AllenQuinton RossGreg J. ReedRodger SmithermanBryan TaylorGerald O. DialCam WardTom WhatleyVivian Davis FiguresLinda Coleman-MadisonArthur OrrBobby D. Singleton

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Environment, Alabama Drought Assessment and Planning Team established, power and duties, the Monitoring and Impacts Group Subcommittee established, membership, duties, responsibilities

Summary

SB20 creates a formal drought planning and response system in Alabama by establishing ADAPT and its MIG subcommittee to develop a statewide drought plan, issue drought declarations, and coordinate water-use restrictions.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Drought Assessment and Planning Team (ADAPT) and its Monitoring and Impacts Group (MIG) subcommittee, detailing membership, duties, and powers. It tasks the Alabama Office of Water Resources (a division of ADECA) with publishing a State Drought Plan, defining drought levels, data handling, declaration processes, and conservation measures, and updating the plan at least every five years. It reinforces the Governor's emergency powers to respond to extreme drought under the Alabama Emergency Management Act and allows the Office of Water Resources to promulgate rules. It requires community public water systems to create drought conservation plans, report restrictions or actions to OWR, and promotes information sharing and coordination among state agencies and with federal partners as needed.

Who It Affects

• Community public water systems, which must develop drought conservation plans, implement measures based on drought severity, and report restrictions or actions to the Office of Water Resources.
• State and local agencies involved in water management and emergency response (OWR, ADECA, AEMA, ADEM, ADCNR, State Forester, State Geologist, State Climatologist, etc.) as ADAPT and MIG members and plan coordinators.
• Watershed Management Authorities, Choctawhatchee-Pea Water Authority, and NRCS representatives appointed by the Governor, who participate in ADAPT or its committees.
• The Governor and state officials who may exercise drought emergency powers and issue related orders.
• Federal agencies invited to participate in ADAPT in a non-voting capacity.
• The general public in drought-affected areas, who may experience water-use restrictions and related actions.

Key Provisions

• ADAPT is created with specific state agency representatives as voting members and allows the Chair (OWR Director) to appoint subcommittees, including MIG.
• MIG is established as a standing subcommittee of ADAPT to collect drought data (rainfall, flows, reservoir levels, soil moisture, groundwater) and assess impacts on water supplies, environment, agriculture, industry, and recreation; MIG Chair reports to ADAPT.
• OWR must publish a State Drought Plan outlining drought levels, operating procedures, data collection/storage/dissemination, declaration procedures, inputs to the drought monitor, and public conservation measures; plan updated at least every five years.
• The drought plan includes coordination with the State Climatologist and alignment with new statewide water legislation, with changes due within 180 days of such legislation adoption.
• ADAPT's duties include advising on statewide drought plan development, assessing conditions, advising on drought emergencies, and recommending mandatory water restrictions to the Governor.
• ADAPT may establish additional subcommittees and must meet at least twice a year; ADECA provides administrative and financial support.
• Community water systems must develop drought conservation plans with enforceable measures and submit copies to OWR (and provide copies to ADEM upon request).
• OWR can issue drought declarations describing where and how severe drought is, based on meteorological, hydrological, forecast, and impact factors on water, agriculture, industry, and habitats.
• Governor may declare a drought emergency and issue orders restricting or reallocating water; emergency orders specify geographic scope, conditions, and withdrawal reductions and may continue while drought conditions threaten health or safety.
• OWR may promulgate rules consistent with the act; information about drought conditions is maintained in a public clearinghouse.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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

Environment