House Bill 354 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ben RobbinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Department of Economic and Community Affairs; workforce talent recruitment grant program established, eligibility provided for, and fund established

Summary

HB354 would create a Workforce Talent Recruitment Grant Program to incentivize households to relocate to Alabama, run by the Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

What This Bill Does

It would establish the Talent Recruitment Program Grant Fund in the State Treasury and empower the Department to award grants to eligible applicants (municipalities, counties, and qualifying nonprofits) to provide relocation incentives for households moving to Alabama. Eligible applicants must submit a Talent Recruitment Program plan with cost estimates, a household relocation goal, grant per household, and anticipated tax and economic impact, and demonstrate at least a 20% cost share from local sources. Grants would be disbursed in two equal installments (50% upfront, 50% after reporting that half of the household relocation goal has been met); if the goal is not met, the remaining funds would not be disbursed. Households would be eligible if they live outside Alabama when applying and have household income of at least $55,000, and the act requires semiannual reporting on applications, approvals, costs, incomes and economic impact. The act would take effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Households seeking relocation incentives would be eligible to receive grants if they meet the income and residency requirements; they must apply for incentives.
• Municipalities, counties, and nonprofit organizations that apply for and administer the program would be responsible for planning, funding contributions, and reporting on results.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Talent Recruitment Program Grant Fund in the State Treasury to fund relocation incentives.
• Authorizes the Department to establish and administer the program and to award grants to eligible applicants (municipalities, counties, and qualifying nonprofits).
• Disburses grant funds in two installments: 50% upon entering a grant contract and 50% after the recipient reports reaching half of its household relocation goal; failure to meet the goal can stop further disbursement.
• Sets household eligibility: reside outside Alabama at application and have an annual household income of at least $55,000; requires application for incentives.
• Requires applicants to submit a plan with costs, household goal, per-household grant amount, tax/economic impact, and at least a 20% local cost share.
• Requires semiannual reporting by grant recipients on applications, approvals, costs per household, incomes/occupations of households, and economic impact; fund stays in the State Treasury and is budgeted under the Budget Management Act; effective date October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Economic Development