HB173 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David SessionsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

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

Summary

The bill creates the Alabama Gulf Coast Sand Restoration Trust Fund to collect and invest proceeds from selling offshore Alabama sand, with the interest used for Mobile County beach and waterway maintenance.

What This Bill Does

It creates the Alabama Gulf Coast Sand Restoration Trust Fund in the State Treasury, to be administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It directs that funds from the sale of sand from two offshore deposits near Dauphin Island be deposited into the fund. The State Treasurer would invest the funds, with all investment interest credited to the fund and distributed to Mobile County for maintenance and preservation of its waterways and beaches. The principal in the fund would not revert to the General Fund or any other fund and would remain in the trust; the act takes effect immediately after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Mobile County residents and local authorities, who would receive funds (via interest distributions) to maintain and preserve waterways and beaches.
• State agencies and officials, specifically the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (administers the fund) and the State Treasurer (invests the funds and distributes interest).

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Gulf Coast Sand Restoration Trust Fund in the State Treasury, administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
• Requires that funds from the sale of sand from two offshore deposits near Dauphin Island be deposited into the trust fund.
• Requires the State Treasurer to invest the funds; all interest earned is credited to the trust fund and distributed to Mobile County for preservation and maintenance of waterways and beaches.
• Provides that money in the trust fund does not revert to the General Fund or any other fund at year-end; it remains in the trust fund.
• Becomes effective 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

Water and Waterways