HB92 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chip BrownRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: State waters; Alabama Seagrass Restoration Task Force established to address seagrass loss
Summary: HB92 creates the Alabama Seagrass Restoration Task Force to coordinate research and actions to restore seagrass ecosystems in state marine waters.
What This Bill Does
The bill establishes a task force to lead development and testing of restoration technologies and approaches for seagrass loss. It sets the task force membership, including cochairs from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the University of South Alabama, plus state officials, universities, private sector representatives, and marine environmental organizations. It requires a 10-year restoration plan, initial setup by January 1, 2026, regular meetings, staff support from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and progress reporting to key state leaders; the Sea Lab also serves as the fiscal agent and funds can be leveraged with private and federal sources. The act takes effect October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
Alabama state and higher education institutions, government agencies, and public/private research organizations involved in seagrass restoration (as members, funders, or collaborators).
Coastal communities, commercial marine interests, and environmental groups in Alabama that rely on healthy seagrass ecosystems, who may benefit from restoration efforts and related funding opportunities.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Alabama Seagrass Restoration Task Force to lead restoration efforts for seagrass in state marine waters and develop a 10-year restoration plan.
Specifies task force membership, including cochairs (Dauphin Island Sea Lab executive director and University of South Alabama President or designee) and key state, academic, private sector, and environmental organization representatives.
Requires the task force to develop a 10-year restoration plan, hold at least two meetings per year, provide progress reports before each regular legislative session, and coordinate appointments to ensure diverse representation.
Designates the Dauphin Island Sea Lab as fiscal agent, allows use of funds for engagement with other organizations, permits retention of funds for administrative costs, and encourages leveraging state funds with private and federal sources; initial meeting by Jan 1, 2026; act effective Oct 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Conservation & Natural Resources; Waters & Boating