HB309 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Donnie ChesteenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Agriculture and Conservation Development Commission, allocation of funds to soil and water conservation districts, minimum deleted, Sec. 9-8A-5 am'd.

Summary

HB 309 would change how funds from the Agricultural and Conservation Development Commission are allocated to soil and water conservation districts by removing the mandatory minimum allocation and focusing on districts' conservation needs.

What This Bill Does

It would delete the mandatory minimum base allocation of 1 percent for each district and instead allocate funds based on the soil and water conservation needs of each district. Funds allocated to districts would be used to pay the costs of installing conservation practices, with district supervisors designating which practices are eligible for cost-share grants and the commission providing final approval. The allocation process would use formulas to determine original allocations, allow for reversion of unspent funds, and enable reallocation of reverted funds, with a reserve fund set aside for contingencies. Reallocated funds would be distributed to applying districts based on available money and requested amounts.

Who It Affects

• Soil and water conservation districts (67 districts) – funding decisions would be guided by conservation needs rather than a fixed minimum, affecting how funds are allocated and used.
• Agricultural and Conservation Development Commission – would implement the needs-based allocation approach, oversee cost-share approvals, and manage original allocations, fund reversion, reallocation, and the reserve.

Key Provisions

• Funds allocated to the soil and water conservation districts shall be used to pay the costs of installing soil and water conservation practices listed in Section 9-8A-7.
• District supervisors shall designate which practices are eligible for cost-share grants, subject to approval by the Agricultural and Conservation Development Commission.
• The commission, through the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, may allocate available appropriations and other funds for cost-share grants to districts in steps identified as original allocation, reversion of allocated funds, and reallocation of reverted funds.
• Original allocation: funds are allocated to the 67 districts at the beginning of each fiscal year following June 4, 1985, using formulas that consider erosion, reforestation needs, other soil and water conservation needs, and agricultural water pollution problems, with a minimum base allocation of 1 percent of available funds for each district.
• Reversion of allocated funds: any funds not obligated by March 1 or for which disbursements have not begun by March 1 revert to the commission for reallocation.
• Reallocation of reverted funds: districts must submit requests by February 1; allocations to districts are the lesser of (a) available funds divided by the number of applying districts or (b) the amount requested.
• Reserve funds: a reserve of up to $10,000 per program year is maintained to meet contingencies, with funds added back to the reserve as needed after reallocations.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Agriculture