SB250 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Greg J. Reed
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Mining, regulation of, Sec. 9-16-79 am'd.
Summary: SB250 changes how Alabama surface mining hearings are handled by removing the Administrative Procedure Act requirements and letting the circuit court review start in the county where the commission's main office is located.
What This Bill Does
It establishes that hearings and appeals under the surface mining act use the act's own procedures, which take precedence over the APA. It allows interested parties to seek judicial review in the circuit court of the county where the commission maintains its principal office. It outlines the path from initial determinations to appeals, including possible temporary relief, de novo court review, and potential costs, with the act taking effect 12 months after passage.

Who It Affects
Mining operators and other parties with interests affected by commission decisions (e.g., permit or cessation orders) who may seek court review and relief under the new process.
The Alabama Surface Mining Regulation Commission and its staff, whose decisions and hearings would be governed by the act's procedures and subject to circuit court review.

Key Provisions
The article's procedures take precedence over and the Administrative Procedure Act shall not apply to proceedings arising under the Alabama Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.
Judicial review must be filed in the circuit court of the county where the commission maintains its principal office, with exhaustion of administrative remedies required, and all parties to the administrative process named in the appeal.
The court conducts a de novo review and can affirm, reverse, or remand the decision; the process includes rules for temporary relief, supersedeas bonds, and possible costs awarded to a party.
The act becomes effective 12 months after the governor signs it into law, and its provisions are severable if any part is invalidated.

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