SB32 Alabama 2015 2nd Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Hightower

Republican

Session

Second Special Session 2015

Title

Gulf Coast Sand Restoration Trust Fund, created, administration by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, distribution of interest earned

Summary

SB32 creates a dedicated Gulf Coast Sand Restoration Trust Fund to hold offshore sand-sale proceeds and fund Mobile County's beach and waterway restoration through earned interest.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Gulf Coast Sand Restoration Trust Fund in the State Treasury, administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It requires that money from selling offshore sand (two deposits off Dauphin Island) go into the fund. The State Treasurer would invest the fund, and all interest would be distributed to Mobile County for maintenance and preservation of waterways and beaches. Any money in the fund stays there each year and does not revert to the General Fund or other funds.

Who It Affects

• Mobile County residents and the county's waterways and beaches, who would benefit from ongoing maintenance and preservation funded by the trust's interest distributions.
• State government entities—specifically the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (administrator) and the State Treasurer (investor)—who would manage and invest the fund and oversee distributions.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Gulf Coast Sand Restoration Trust Fund in the State Treasury, to be administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
• Requires that funds from the sale of offshore sand (two deposits off Dauphin Island) go into the trust fund.
• Authorizes the State Treasurer to invest the funds; all interest earned goes to the trust and will be distributed to Mobile County for maintenance and preservation of waterways and beaches.
• Funds in the trust do not revert to the General Fund or any other fund at year end; they stay in the trust.
• Effective immediately after approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Water and Waterways