SB60 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Ports, inland facilities; create inland port and intermodal grant fund in ADECA.
Summary: SB60 creates a state grant fund in ADECA to develop Alabama's inland ports and intermodal facilities, with a dedicated $2 million annual appropriation (2026-2028) and a competitive grant program, while excluding the Port of Mobile.
What This Bill Does
The bill authorizes transferring General Fund money to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to finance improvements to inland ports and intermodal facilities. It creates the Inland Ports and Intermodal Development Fund within ADECA to fund capital improvements, dredging near inland ports, and related infrastructure through competitive grants, with at least 20% local participation. Grants are prioritized for projects that reduce highway congestion, increase port tonnage, and boost regional competitiveness. It also sets limits and requirements on funding (e.g., exclusions for routine maintenance and administrative costs, feasibility studies for new inland ports) and defines key terms like inland ports and intermodal facilities, explicitly excluding the Port of Mobile.

Who It Affects
Local governments, port authorities, and inland port/intermodal facility operators in Alabama would apply for and possibly receive grants to finance capital improvements and related infrastructure.
Shippers, commuters, and Alabama residents could benefit from reduced truck congestion, lower emissions, and a more competitive freight network as inland ports develop.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Inland Ports and Intermodal Development Fund within ADECA to receive General Fund appropriations for financing improvements to inland ports and intermodal facilities.
Provides an annual appropriation of $2,000,000 from the State General Fund to ADECA for FY2026 through FY2028 to fund a competitive grant program, with funds kept in the fund and limited to a maximum of $5,000,000 per year; unexpended funds carry over and revert rules apply.
Requires competitive grant awards with at least 20% local participation, prioritizing projects that reduce highway congestion, increase port tonnage, and boost regional competitiveness; funding restricted to capital improvements, intermodal infrastructure, or related purposes near inland ports.
Includes restrictions on funding for routine maintenance, administrative costs, or dredging of waterways not near an inland port; new inland ports require feasibility studies and competitive analysis before funding.
Defines inland ports, intermodal facilities, and port facilities, explicitly excluding the Port of Mobile from inland port status; ADECA will adopt rules to implement the act.
Effective date is 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: Transportation