HB20 Alabama 2016 1st Special Session Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy Davis

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2016

Title

PEEHIP, amount certified to Governor and Legislature required to be sufficient to fund ensuing year, only if appropriated less than amount requested may board increase costs to consumer or reduce coverage, Sec. 16-26A-8 am'd.

Summary

This bill would make it easier for coastal riparian property owners to restore shorelines using living shoreline methods by allowing free permits to dredge sand and use sediment in front of their property for restoration.

What This Bill Does

It defines living shoreline techniques and promotes their use over seawalls. It authorizes the State Lands Division and the Department of Environmental Management to issue permits to riparian property owners to dredge sand and source sediment in front of their property (or adjacent property with consent) at no charge, for the construction of living shoreline projects. It also states that this act does not affect ownership titles to state submerged lands and that the provisions are supplemental to existing law.

Who It Affects

• Riparian property owners in coastal areas: can obtain permits at no charge to dredge sand and source sediment from in front of their property for use in living shoreline restoration.
• State agencies (State Lands Division, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Management): responsible for issuing the permits without fee and overseeing the process, while ensuring submerged lands titles remain unaffected.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'living shoreline' to include native vegetation planting, wave attenuation structures, fill material, and other techniques that allow natural coastal processes to continue.
• Requires the State Lands Division and the Department of Environmental Management to issue permits to riparian property owners to dredge sand and source sediment without charge for use in living shoreline projects in front of the owners' riparian property or adjacent property with consent.
• Affirms that dredged sand and sediment used must be applied to living shoreline construction in front of the riparian property and that the act is intended to encourage living shorelines rather than vertical seawalls.
• States that the act does not affect the title to state submerged lands and that the provisions are supplemental to existing law; provides an effective date.

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

Subjects

Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Program