HB7 Alabama 2015 2nd Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Margie WilcoxRepresentative

Republican

Session

Second Special Session 2015

Title

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, distribution of funds from BP settlement, road and bridge projects in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, insurance reform

Summary

HB7 would divert half of BP settlement proceeds that would go to Alabama's State General Fund to fund insurance reform and road/evacuation projects in Baldwin and Mobile counties.

What This Bill Does

The bill directs half of the BP settlement proceeds that would otherwise go to the State General Fund to three purposes: $100 million to the State Insurance Department for insurance reform (grants, loans, and other measures to lower premiums, with no administrative use allowed); $200 million to ALDOT for Mobile County to fund projects that improve coastal transportation and evacuation routing; and $200 million to ALDOT for Baldwin County for similar coastal transportation and evacuation projects. The exact projects will be chosen by the DOT Director in consultation with the Southwest Division Director, and none of these funds may be used for administrative costs. The act becomes effective on the first day of the month after the Governor approves it.

Who It Affects

• State Insurance Department will receive $100 million for insurance reform activities (grants, loans, and other measures to reduce premiums).
• Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Mobile County Southwest Division will receive $200 million for coastal transportation improvements and evacuation routing projects.
• Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Baldwin County Southwest Division will receive $200 million for coastal transportation improvements and evacuation routing projects.
• Residents and property owners in Baldwin and Mobile counties may benefit from improved coastal transportation and evacuation routes.

Key Provisions

• Notwithstanding existing law, half of the BP settlement proceeds designated for the State General Fund shall be redistributed as follows: $100,000,000 to the State Insurance Department for insurance reform (no administrative use allowed); $200,000,000 to ALDOT Mobile County Southwest Division for coastal transportation and evacuation routing projects; $200,000,000 to ALDOT Baldwin County Southwest Division for the same types of projects.
• ALDOT project selections will be determined by the DOT Director in consultation with the Southwest Division Director.
• Funds allocated under this act may not be used for administrative purposes.
• Effective date: the first day of the month after the act is passed and approved by the Governor (or otherwise becomes law).

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

Subjects

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill