HB59 Alabama 2015 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David SessionsSenator

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2015

Title

General Fund Budget, line item established for Navigable Waters Dredging Fund

Summary

HB59 creates a Navigable Waters Dredging Fund as a General Fund budget line item to fund dredging of certain Alabama navigable waterways, repeals a prior act, and assigns administration to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Navigable Waters Dredging Fund as a General Fund Budget line item and repeals the previous Act 2015-436. The fund’s principal comes from government appropriations and gifts and is used solely for the state's share of approved dredging projects, with cost-sharing 1:1 from non-state sources. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources administers the fund, and funds may cover administrative costs up to 5% while seeking an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to facilitate projects. A dredging project is defined as work on state waterways to improve public boat ramps or waterways with a federally authorized maximum depth of 6 to 18 feet, and the act becomes effective after a short delay following approval.

Who It Affects

• Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – responsible for administering the Navigable Waters Dredging Fund and overseeing approved dredging projects.
• Local governments and private entities proposing dredging projects – must cost-share the project 1:1 with non-state dollars and manage the approved dredging work.
• Non-state funders (government entities and private donors) – may provide funds or gifts to support the fund.
• Users of Alabama navigable waterways and public boat ramps – potential beneficiaries through improved dredging and access.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Navigable Waters Dredging Fund as a line item in the General Fund Budget and repeals Act 2015-436.
• Allocates administration of the fund to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; funds used for the state's share of dredging costs on approved projects; projects must be cost-shared 1:1 with non-state dollars.
• Requires all funds deposited for the fund to be used only to carry out the act; authorizes seeking an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to facilitate projects; allows up to 5% of deposits for administrative costs; permits regulations to implement the act.
• Defines a dredging project as dredging state waterways to improve use of public boat ramps or waterways with a federally authorized maximum depth between 6 and 18 feet.
• Repeals Act 2015-436 and sets an effective date specified in the act.

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

Subjects

General Fund Budget