SB39 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Clyde ChamblissSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Dam safety, elective procedures provided for state-owned dams
Summary: SB39 creates an opt-in, engineer-led dam safety program for state-owned dams and reservoirs, adding inspections, plans, and reporting requirements.
What This Bill Does
The bill adds safety procedures for state-owned dams and reservoirs that elect to participate. Participating owners must have plans for construction, enlargement, alterations, repairs, operation, breach, abandonment, or removal overseen by an engineer and supported by other qualified specialists. State-owned dams in the program must be inspected by an engineer at least every four years, with the engineer certifying the inspection to the local emergency management agency and delivering the report to the owner. Owners must file affidavits and notify the local emergency management agency about construction or enlargement; upon transfer of ownership, the new owner may continue or terminate participation with no penalty. The act also clarifies that the local emergency management agency has no regulatory duties, and records related to dams are not public; it becomes effective October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects
Participating state-owned dam or reservoir owners/entities elected to participate, who must implement safety procedures, develop engineer-supervised plans, and conduct periodic inspections.
Local emergency management agencies and the engineers and related professionals involved in inspection, certification, and oversight of the program.

Key Provisions
Establishes an opt-in state-owned dam safety program requiring engineer-supervised plans for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, operation, breach, abandonment, or removal.
Requires inspections of participating state-owned dams at least every four years by a licensed engineer, with certification to the local emergency management agency and delivery of the inspection record to the owner.
Requires participating owners to submit affidavits for each state-owned dam/reservoir and to notify the local emergency management agency before construction or enlargement; allows transfer of ownership with no penalty for continuing or ceasing participation.
Clarifies that the local emergency management agency has no regulatory duties, dam records are not public, and the act becomes effective October 1, 2024.

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