SB311 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Josh CarnleySenator
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Public highways; procedure for issuance of permit for access to state rights-of-way on public highways, further provided
Summary: SB311 would fast-track and regulate permits for electric transmission infrastructure to use state rights-of-way on public highways, with specific deadlines, road-restoration deposits, and expedited condemnation when related to those permits.
What This Bill Does
It creates a streamlined permit process for electric providers to access public rights-of-way on highways, setting deadlines for application completeness and final decisions. It requires the permittee to post a cash deposit or bond to cover road restoration costs and allows forfeiture if the road isn’t restored to its prior condition within 15 business days after work. It also speeds up related condemnation actions and clarifies that the Department of Transportation must regulate the work and that rights-of-way aren’t automatically acquired by the state to accommodate these projects. The act defines key terms and takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
Electric providers (including the Tennessee Valley Authority and other qualifying authorities) seeking permits to place or modify electric transmission facilities in state rights-of-way; they face defined timelines, deposit/bond requirements, and potential expedited approvals.
Property owners and landholders along the project route, and parties involved in condemnation actions related to permits; they are affected by the expedited condemnation process and the timelines for resolving permit-related disputes.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 23-1-4 to establish a permit process for electric transmission facilities in public rights-of-way and sets processing deadlines (14 days for completeness determination; 35 days to approve/deny with a one-time 10-day extension).
If the department does not decide within the specified period, the permit is deemed approved upon posting of the required deposit or bond.
Permittees must pay the cost of restoring the road to its condition before the work, posting a cash deposit or certified bond to cover restoration costs, with forfeiture if restoration is not completed within 15 business days after project completion.
Allows for expedited condemnation actions related to permit applications and assigns related cases to an expedited track in the circuit court.
Defines 'electric provider' to include TVA and certain authorities and defines 'electric transmission facilities' as equipment operating at 40,000 volts or greater.
Prohibits work on state-controlled roads without a written DOT permit and requires compliance with DOT regulations; the department is not obligated to acquire rights-of-way for these projects.
Effective date: October 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: Transportation