Senate Bill 368 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg AlbrittonSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Rural Health Transformation Program supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026

Summary

SB368 provides supplemental federal funding to ADECA for Alabama's Rural Health Transformation Program for FY 2026.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes up to $203,404,327 in federal funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 to ADECA for multiple rural health initiatives for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It designates funds for 11 initiatives (EHR/IT/Cybersecurity, Rural Health, Maternal and Fetal Health, Rural Workforce, Cancer Digital Regionalization, Simulation Training, Statewide EMS/Trauma/Stroke, EMS Treat-In-Place, Mental Health, and Rural Health Practice) plus administration costs. Funds not spent can carry forward to the next year and unspent amounts on Sept 30, 2026 can be reappropriated for the same purposes starting Oct 1, 2026. Reallocations require written approval from state officials and CMS, and if CMS changes approval, ADECA must follow CMS rules. The act becomes effective immediately upon governor's signature.

Who It Affects

• ADECA (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs) will administer and oversee the program and funding.
• Rural health providers, hospitals, EMS services, mental health and maternal/fetal health providers, and residents in rural Alabama who will benefit from expanded funding and services.

Key Provisions

• Total of up to $203,404,327 in federal funds to ADECA for FY 2026.
• Allocations to specific initiatives with caps: Collaborative EHR/IT/Cybersecurity up to $31,425,971; Rural Health up to $55,936,190; Maternal and Fetal Health up to $6,102,130; Rural Workforce up to $57,919,382; Cancer Digital Regionalization up to $8,136,173; Simulation Training up to $1,017,021; Statewide EMS Trauma and Stroke up to $4,068,085; EMS Treat-In-Place up to $5,085,108; Mental Health up to $7,271,705; Rural Health Practice up to $6,102,130; admin costs up to $20,340,432.
• Funds not expended carry forward to the next fiscal year and may be reappropriated for the same purposes for the following year.
• If reallocations are needed, ADECA must obtain written concurrence from the Finance Director and the chairs of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee and Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee before seeking CMS approval.
• CMS approval is required for reallocations; if CMS changes or withholds approval, ADECA must administer the funds per CMS requirements.
• The act does not require spending in violation of federal law and funds must be spent in accordance with federal rules and program terms.
• Effective immediately upon the Governor's signature.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Appropriations; Economic Development