HB169 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny GarrettRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Labor Dept., definitions and references to Secretary of Labor updated in AL Surface Mining Act of 1969, departmental employee in lieu of registered forester to perform inspections, amount of fed funds retained in Special Abandoned Mine Reclamation Trust Fund increased, unemployment compensation language conformed and exclusivity of certain procedures specified, Secs. 25-4-59, 25-4-153 added; Secs. 9-16-2, 9-16-8, 9-16-135, 25-4-72 am'd.

Summary

HB169 updates Alabama's Surface Mining Act and unemployment rules to have department staff conduct inspections, increase the special reclamation fund, strengthen unemployment procedures, and require federal cooperation during emergencies.

What This Bill Does

It updates definitions for the Surface Mining Act and abandoned mine reclamation and specifies that inspections are performed by a Department of Labor employee rather than a registered forester. It increases the portion of federal reclamation funds kept in the Special Abandoned Mine Reclamation Trust Fund from 10% to 30%. It adds exclusive procedures for unemployment contributions and appeals and aligns benefit-year rules for years beginning after July 2, 2006. It requires the Department of Labor to work with the federal government to maximize unemployment benefits during statewide emergencies and to adopt implementing rules.

Who It Affects

• Surface mining operators and the Department of Labor staff, who will see changes in who conducts inspections and how funds are managed.
• Unemployed workers and employers in Alabama, who will be affected by exclusive unemployment procedures and by efforts to maximize benefits during statewide emergencies.

Key Provisions

• Updates definitions in 9-16-2 and clarifies inspection responsibilities to be carried out by a Department of Labor employee rather than a registered forester.
• Raises the Special Abandoned Mine Reclamation Trust Fund retention from 10% to 30% of annual federal reclamation funds and outlines deposit and disbursement procedures.
• Adds Sections 25-4-59 and 25-4-153 to establish that unemployment contribution determinations and appeals are governed by exclusive procedures.
• Amends 25-4-72 to conform language regarding benefit years beginning on or after July 2, 2006.
• Requires the Department of Labor to cooperate with the federal government to maximize unemployment benefits during statewide emergencies and to adopt implementing rules.
• Effective date set: July 1, 2021.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Labor Department