SB140 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Disaster Recovery Program, Statewide Emergency Notification System, created, Sec. 31-9-87 added; Secs. 31-9-80, 31-9-81 am'd.

Summary

SB 140 creates the Alabama Disaster Recovery Program and a statewide emergency notification system with dedicated funding and oversight to support disaster relief and alerts.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Disaster Recovery Program to help eligible counties and municipalities with disaster needs and to set up, operate, and maintain a statewide emergency notification system. It creates two funds under the Recovery Fund: the general Alabama Disaster Recovery Fund and a separate Alabama Statewide Emergency Notification System Fund, with money coming from General Fund appropriations, federal grants, future appropriations, or other allowed sources (not insurance surcharges). The Emergency Management Agency administers funding, procurement, and program implementation, under oversight of the Alabama Disaster Recovery Program Committee, and the system must be developed within three months of appropriation; annual reports on expenditures and operations are required. The system is intended to benefit residents and state/local emergency management agencies statewide.

Who It Affects

• Local counties and municipalities would receive financial assistance for disaster recovery and related program funding.
• Alabama residents and communities would benefit from a statewide emergency notification system that provides emergency information and warnings.

Key Provisions

• Amends 31-9-80 and 31-9-81 and adds 31-9-87 to create and fund the Alabama Disaster Recovery Program and the Statewide Emergency Notification System.
• Establishes the Alabama Disaster Recovery Fund and the Alabama Statewide Emergency Notification System Fund within the Recovery Fund; outlines allowable funding sources and restrictions (no insurance surcharges).
• Distributions to counties/municipalities follow EMA procedures; 31-9-87 funds go to the separate System Fund and are used only for the notification system.
• EMA serves as awarding authority for System Fund procurements; the committee and EMA must jointly develop system requirements within three months; the system serves residents and emergency management agencies.
• The committee must annually report on expenditures, operations, and role in emergency preparedness and recovery.
• The act becomes effective immediately upon governor's signature.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Emergencies