Senate Bill 308 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Josh CarnleySenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Department of Insurance; Office of Risk and Resilience created; Strengthen Alabama Homes Program placed under office

Summary

SB308 creates the Office of Risk and Resilience within the Department of Insurance and places the Strengthen Alabama Homes Program under that office.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates the Office of Risk and Resilience within the Department of Insurance to develop risk controls and address risk and resilience issues in Alabama's insurance market. The Insurance Commissioner may hire staff to run the office, including one exempt employee, with compensation set by the Commissioner. It establishes the Strengthen Alabama Homes Program within the new office and creates the Strengthen Alabama Homes Fund in the State Treasury to support the program, with funding subject to annual appropriations or grants and not automatically lapsing. The program would provide grants to retrofit insurable properties to resist hurricanes, tornadoes, or other catastrophic wind events, may fund nonprofit entities to administer grants, requires local permits and inspections (with possible random re-inspections), and allows the department to adopt rules for eligibility and administration.

Who It Affects

• Property owners with insurable homes in Alabama who may apply for retrofit grants to resist wind damage.
• Nonprofit organizations that may administer or distribute grants for retrofit projects and must follow program rules.

Key Provisions

• Create the Office of Risk and Resilience within the Department of Insurance and define its duties to promote a healthy insurance market and address risk/resilience.
• Place the Strengthen Alabama Homes Program within the Office of Risk and Resilience and establish the Strengthen Alabama Homes Fund in the State Treasury to support the program.
• Funding for the program depends on annual state appropriations or federal/grant funds; it is not an entitlement and funds do not lapse except as allowed by grant rules.
• Allow grants to retrofit insurable properties to resist hurricane, tornado, or catastrophic wind events; allow grants to nonprofits to administer grants; require local permits and inspections and permit random re-inspections; department may adopt rules and eligibility requirements.
• Effective date: June 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 13, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Insurance