SB225 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Hightower

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, settlement funds, priority disbursement to economic and environmental restoration projects in Mobile and Baldwin Counties

Summary

SB225 would require certain Deepwater Horizon Clean Water Act penalties not sent to RESTORE to be placed in a state trust and largely used in Baldwin and Mobile Counties for research, coastal restoration, and economic development.

What This Bill Does

It directs that Clean Water Act penalty funds received by the state and not disbursed under RESTORE be deposited into a state trust fund. Eighty percent of these funds would be used in Baldwin and Mobile Counties for scientific research, coastal environmental restoration, and economic incentives and initiatives. Twenty percent could be used for economic incentives or diversification in other Alabama counties. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management would lead on environmental restoration funds, and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs would lead on economic incentives and diversification funds. The act would take effect immediately after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Baldwin and Mobile Counties: receive 80% of the eligible funds for research, restoration, and economic initiatives related to the oil spill.
• Other Alabama counties: may receive 20% of the funds for economic incentives and diversification efforts.

Key Provisions

• Establishs the RESTORE Assurance Act of Alabama.
• Any Clean Water Act penalty funds for Deepwater Horizon damages not disbursed under RESTORE must be deposited into state trust funds.
• Eighty percent of these funds must be used for scientific research, environmental restoration, and economic incentives and initiatives in Baldwin and Mobile Counties.
• Twenty percent of these funds may be used for economic incentives and diversification in other Alabama counties.
• ADEM is the lead agency for environmental restoration funds; ADECA is the lead agency for economic incentives and diversification funds.
• The act takes effect immediately 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

Appropriations