House Bill 135 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chip BrownRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Ports; creates the Alabama Port Infrastructure Grant Program in Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

Summary

Creates the Alabama Port Infrastructure Grant Program and Fund to finance improvements to inland ports and intermodal facilities in Alabama, administered by ADECA.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes the Alabama Port Infrastructure Grant Program and the Alabama Port Infrastructure Fund within the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to finance improvements to inland ports and intermodal facilities (excluding the Port of Mobile). It allows ADECA to award competitive grants for capital improvements, maintenance, construction, dredging near inland ports, and related intermodal infrastructure, with rules on local matching, project cost sharing, annual grant fund limits, and administrative costs. It prioritizes inland ports and intermodal facilities that reduce highway congestion and increase port tonnage, and requires feasibility studies for new inland ports before funding. It also sets funding rules, administration, reporting, and sunset/reversion provisions, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Inland ports and intermodal facilities in Alabama and their governing bodies, which would be eligible to apply for grants to fund capital improvements, maintenance, and related intermodal projects.
• Local governments, port authorities, and other entities that own or operate inland ports, which must provide a minimum 20% local match and comply with grant limits and eligibility, including feasibility study requirements for new inland ports.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Port Infrastructure Grant Program (within ADECA) and the Alabama Port Infrastructure Fund to fund improvements to inland ports and intermodal facilities; excludes the Port of Mobile from inland port designation.
• Annual General Fund appropriations to ADECA to fund the program, with limitations on administration and a cap of no more than $5,000,000 in any single fiscal year for administering the program; unexpended funds stay in the fund and may revert after three years; annual program reporting is required.
• Grant rules include: minimum 20% local matching funds; program grants may not exceed 50% of total project costs; individual grant awards may not exceed 20% of total grant funds awarded in a single fiscal year; administrative costs may not exceed 10% of the awarded amount; grants are awarded on a competitive basis with eligibility and procedures set by ADECA.
• Eligible uses cover capital improvements, dredging near inland ports, intermodal infrastructure development, and related activities; routine maintenance and certain planning or expansion efforts are limited or excluded; new inland ports require a feasibility study and competitive analysis before funding.
• ADECA must adopt rules for implementation; applications must be filed by inland ports or intermodal facilities; existing port authorities and related laws are preserved; the Port of Mobile is not included in inland port funding under this act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 26, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Economic Development