HB631 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny CrawfordRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Andy Whitt

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Public waterways, Alabama State Reservoir Management Development Program established, award of grants, add'l registration fees, technical revisions, Secs. 33-5-6, 33-5-10, 33-5-17 am'd.

Summary

HB631 creates the Alabama State Reservoir Management Development Program to fund reservoir-related projects through grants to qualified local entities, funded by a new $5 per-vessel registration fee and related law updates.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a department-administered grant program to support reservoir management and debris projects described in reservoir plans. It creates the State Reservoir Management Grant Fund to receive appropriations, gifts, and the new vessel registration fees, with a cap on administrative costs and funds that roll over year to year. It sets grant purposes (invasive species control, post-disaster debris removal, and maintenance of navigational aids or signs), requires owner/operator concurrence before a grant, and requires a 50% local match; grants must be completed within two years and funds returned are kept for future awards. It also adds a new $5 registration fee for Class 1–4 boats (in addition to existing fees and an inspection fee for homemade boats) with those funds directed to the grant fund, and requires initial program rules by April 1, 2022 and an effective date of January 1, 2022.

Who It Affects

• Qualified local entities (counties, municipalities, unincorporated municipalities, local public entities, and local public-private partnerships) that own or manage reservoirs; they may apply for grants and must provide owner/operator concurrence, and provide 50% matching funds for projects.
• Vessel owners and operators of Class 1–4 boats (including livery boats); they will pay an additional $5 registration fee that funds the State Reservoir Management Grant Fund, in addition to existing registration and issuance fees.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama State Reservoir Management Development Program within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and a State Reservoir Management Grant Fund in the State Treasury.
• Establishes criteria for qualified local entities and defines terms like local public-private partnerships and state reservoir.
• Authorizes grants to local entities for projects to control invasive aquatic species, remove debris after natural disasters, and install/maintain navigational aids or regulatory signs designated by the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
• Requires written concurrence from the owner or operator of the applicable reservoir before awarding a grant.
• Grants are awarded through a department-designed evaluation system; applications open October 1 each year with awards announced by February 1 of the following year.
• Grants must be completed within two years; if not completed, the entity cannot apply for additional grants for two years.
• Each qualified local entity must provide a 50% matching fund for grant amounts; funds may also be used as matching funds for other programs.
• Unspent grant funds carry over to the next year; funds returned are deposited back into the State Reservoir Management Grant Fund for future awards.
• Implements an additional $5 registration fee for Class 1–4 vessels (in addition to existing fees and the $25 inspection fee for homemade boats), with these funds deposited into the State Reservoir Management Grant Fund monthly.
• Amends Sections 33-5-6, 33-5-10, and 33-5-17 to update language and align with the new program and funding structure.
• Initial implementing rules must be adopted by April 1, 2022; effective date of the act is January 1, 2022.

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

Subjects

Water and Waterways