Senate Bill 155 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt WoodsSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Coal-Impacted Communities Economic and Workforce Development Grant program established, new fund created, distribution of rent and royalties of federal coal lease sales

Summary

SB155 creates a grant program and dedicated fund to invest federal coal lease revenues into coal-impacted Alabama communities and related economic development initiatives.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the Coal-Impacted Communities Economic and WorkForce Development Grant Program to award grants to eligible local development organizations for regional economic and workforce initiatives in coal-impacted communities. Creates the Renewing Coal-Impacted Communities Act Fund in the State Treasury to administer grant funds for the program, financed by revenues from rents and royalties of federal coal lease sales beginning after January 1, 2027. Designates Fayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties as coal-impacted communities and creates an Advisory Committee to review applications and make recommendations, with members reflecting state diversity. Directs revenues from federal coal lease sales to be distributed first to the State General Fund, then to the Port Authority for the McDuffie Coal Terminal, then to the Alabama Surface Mining Commission, with the remainder funding the grant program.

Who It Affects

• Coal-impacted communities and local development organizations: eligible to receive grants for workforce development, infrastructure, public services, and related initiatives to support regional economic growth.
• State agencies and public bodies involved in administration and funding: the Department of Workforce (administers the grant program), the Alabama State Port Authority (receives funds for the McDuffie Coal Terminal), the Alabama Surface Mining Commission (financed for operations), and the State General Fund as a recipient of initial revenues.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of the Coal-Impacted Communities Economic and Workforce Development Grant Program to fund regional economic and workforce efforts in coal-impacted communities.
• Creation of the Renewing Coal-Impacted Communities Act Fund in the State Treasury to hold and allocate grant funds, funded by post-2027 federal coal lease revenue.
• Definition of coal-impacted communities and criteria, including designation of Fayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties, to guide eligibility.
• Formation of a Grant Program Advisory Committee with specified members and four-year terms to review applications and advise the secretary.
• Allocation plan for revenues from federal coal lease sales: $1,000,000 to the General Fund, $500,000 to the Port Authority for the McDuffie Terminal, $250,000 to the Surface Mining Commission, with the remainder funding grants through the Act Fund.
• Permissible uses of grant funds: workforce development and training, quality of place initiatives, public works and infrastructure, capital improvements, and operations of the Surface Mining Commission.
• Administrative provisions: Department of Workforce administers the program; funds may allocate up to 10% for administration and audits; advisory members are reimbursable for approved expenses.
• 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