Senate Bill 119 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Dredging; coastal areas, dredged materials required to be beneficially used by persons dredging certain amounts

Summary

SB119 would require coastal dredging projects in Alabama that exceed 1 million cubic yards annually to use at least 70% of the dredged material in beneficial ways, and it directs state agencies to adopt rules to implement the measure.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill requires dredging operators who annualy dredge more than one million cubic yards in coastal areas to ensure at least 70% of that material is used in beneficial ways. Beneficial use includes habitat development for fish and wildlife, human recreation, and industrial or commercial uses; depositing dredged material into public waters is generally excluded unless part of shoreline restoration or marsh creation. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources would adopt rules to implement the act and revise the Alabama Coastal Area Management Program as needed, and there is an emergency exception allowing suspension during a state of emergency with a specified termination date. The act would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Dredging operators and companies that dredge more than 1,000,000 cubic yards per year in coastal areas; they must ensure at least 70% of dredged material is beneficially used.
• State agencies (ADEM and ADCNR) responsible for implementing the act and updating the Alabama Coastal Area Management Program.

Key Provisions

• Applies only to coastal areas in Alabama.
• Requires more than 1,000,000 cubic yards dredged per year to have at least 70% of the material be beneficially used.
• Beneficial use includes habitat development, recreation, and industrial/commercial uses; deposition into public waters is generally excluded unless part of shoreline restoration or marsh creation.
• ADEM and ADCNR must adopt implementing rules and revise the Alabama Coastal Area Management Program as needed.
• Emergency provision allows suspension during a declared state of emergency, with a termination date specified in the order.
• 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

Conservation & Natural Resources