SB160 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Hightower

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

SB160 creates a dedicated Alabama Gulf Coast Sand Restoration Trust Fund to hold and invest offshore sand sale proceeds, with the interest sent to Mobile County for waterways and beaches maintenance.

What This Bill Does

The bill 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 requires that funds from the sale of sand from two offshore deposits (about 2.5 miles off Dauphin Island) be deposited into the fund. The State Treasurer would invest the money, with all interest earned credited to the fund and distributed to Mobile County for maintenance and preservation of its waterways and beaches. Any money left in the fund at year’s end stays in the trust fund and does not revert to the General Fund or other funds.

Who It Affects

• Mobile County residents and visitors, who would benefit from funding for maintenance and preservation of Mobile County waterways and beaches via the fund's interest distributions.
• State and local government entities, including the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (administering the fund) and the State Treasurer (investing the funds and managing the fund’s assets).

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 funds from the sale of sand from two offshore deposits (about 2.5 miles offshore at the west end of Dauphin Island) to be deposited into the trust fund.
• authorizes the State Treasurer to invest the funds; all interest earned goes to the trust fund and is distributed to Mobile County for maintenance and preservation 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 stays in the trust fund.
• Effective immediately following passage and the Governor’s 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