HJR350 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chris BlackshearRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Joint Interim Commission on Utility Relocation Costs, established
Summary: Establishes a Joint Interim Study Commission on Utility Relocation Costs to study and recommend how relocation costs for utility facilities tied to public road projects should be allocated and reimbursed.
What This Bill Does
Creates the Joint Interim Study Commission on Utility Relocation Costs to examine the costs of relocating utility facilities due to road projects in Alabama. It will review current laws and practices about using road rights-of-way, the relocation process, and who pays the costs, including federal funding options. The commission will develop comprehensive recommendations for changes to law and procedures for allocating and reimbursing relocation costs. It designates leadership, sets meeting timelines, and requires admin support and a final report to the Legislature before dissolving in 2026.

Who It Affects
State government and agencies (House and Senate members, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and related agencies) who will participate in the commission and may implement any recommended changes; legislative members receive per diem and travel compensation for meetings.
Utilities, industry groups, and local governments (e.g., Cable and Broadband Association, Energy Institute of Alabama, Natural Gas Association, Stormwater Association, Road Builders Association, Water & Wastewater Institute, County Commissions, League of Municipalities, Broadband Association of Alabama and Mississippi, and other organizations) that are represented on the commission and could be affected by how relocation costs are allocated and reimbursed.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Joint Interim Study Commission on Utility Relocation Costs to study relocation costs for utility facilities related to public road projects and to make recommendations on cost allocation and reimbursement.
Sets the commission's membership to include two House members, two Senate members, minority leaders' appointees, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and representatives from multiple state agencies and industry/local-government associations, plus others for diverse perspectives.
Requires appointing authorities to ensure the commission reflects racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state.
authorizes the commission to assess: usage of public road rights-of-way, relocation processes for utility facilities, costs incurred, allocation/reimbursement, and federal funding opportunities.
Directs the commission to develop comprehensive recommendations for changes to law and procedures governing relocation costs.
Designates the Speaker of the House to name the chair and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to name the vice chair; first meeting within 60 days of passage.
Provides for administrative support from the Legislative Services Agency, the Clerk of the House, and the Secretary of the Senate; outlines compensation for legislative members and reimbursement for nonlegislative members.
Requires a final report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the tenth legislative day of the 2026 Regular Session and then dissolves the commission.
Requires notice of all meetings and the final report to be provided to the Secretary of State.

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