Senate Bill 363 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Donnie ChesteenSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs; Alabama Centralized Grant Management Database, established to maintain lists of available grants

Summary

SB363 would create the Alabama Centralized Grant Management Database within ADECA to centralize grant listings and grant-writing help.

What This Bill Does

It would build a public online platform listing all available federal, state, local, and private grants for Alabama entities. It would create a voluntary registry of grant writers, consultants, and technical assistance providers to help applicants. It would provide guidance to local governments, small businesses, nonprofits, and other eligible entities, coordinate with state agencies for timely information, and require an annual report on grants listed, platform usage, and any barriers. The act would be funded by legislative appropriations and take effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Alabama entities such as local governments, small businesses, nonprofits, and other eligible entities that gain a centralized grant listing and applying guidance.
• Grant writers, consultants, and technical assistance providers who may join a voluntary registry and be publicly listed to offer services.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Grant Management Database within the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
• Creates a centralized, publicly accessible online platform listing all available federal and state grant opportunities administered by state agencies for which Alabama entities are eligible.
• Publishes and maintains a voluntary registry of qualified grant writers, consultants, and technical assistance providers.
• Provides guidance to help local governments, small businesses, nonprofits, and other eligible entities identify and apply for grants.
• Coordinates with state agencies to ensure grant information is timely and accurate.
• Requires an annual report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate on grants listed, platform users, and barriers.
• Establishes a voluntary registry of individuals/firms who provide grant writing or technical assistance services, with qualifications and contact information.
• The registry will be publicly accessible on the same platform as the grant listings.
• Allows ADECA to adopt rules to implement the act and requires cooperation from all state agencies.
• Funding for the database comes from legislative appropriations, and the act becomes effective October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 10, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

State Government