Senate Bill 378 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Dam Safety Program; Emergency Management Agency required to administer, agency approval of participating dam construction, modification, or removal required

Summary

SB378 would move the Alabama Dam Safety Program under the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and require agency approval for dam-related construction and changes by participating owners.

What This Bill Does

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency would oversee the Dam Safety Program, taking over duties from local emergency management agencies. Participating dam or reservoir owners must submit plans for constructing, enlarging, modifying, repairing, breaching, or removing a dam or reservoir to AEMA for approval, with plans signed and sealed by a qualified design engineer. The agency could adopt rules, approval procedures, and fees to run the program, and must prepare an implementation plan and a description of operational and financial needs to the Governor and Legislature. The bill also requires regular engineer inspections every four years, emergency action planning for high and significant hazard dams, and a transfer of certain records from local to state agencies by a specified date.

Who It Affects

• Participating dam/reservoir owners (cities, counties, public utilities, districts, or private owners who elect to participate) must submit plans to AEMA for approval and ensure plans are signed/sealed by a licensed engineer.
• Engineers and geologists who perform inspections and certify compliance for each dam or reservoir.
• Alabama Emergency Management Agency, which would administer the program, approve plans, and set rules and fees.
• Local emergency management agencies, whose duties would shift to AEMA and whose dam records must be transferred to AEMA by January 1, 2027.
• The Governor and Legislature, which would receive an implementation plan and ongoing operational/financial needs for the program.

Key Provisions

• AEMA shall administer the Alabama Dam Safety Program, replacing local emergency management agencies.
• Participating owners must obtain AEMA approval before constructing, enlarging, modifying, repairing, breaching, or removing a dam or reservoir; plans must be signed and sealed by a design engineer.
• AEMA may adopt rules, approval procedures, and fees to administer the program.
• AEMA must submit an Implementation Plan and a description of operational and financial needs to the Governor and Legislature; may seek federal, state, and private funds and coordinate with the US Army Corps of Engineers.
• Participating owners must have dam/reservoirs inspected at least every four years by an engineer; the engineer must certify the inspection to the owner and to AEMA.
• High or significant hazard dams must develop and file an Emergency Action Plan with the local emergency management agency, including specified elements, and implement it during emergencies.
• State-owned dams/reservoirs must be inspected at least every four years if funds are available; inspections may require an affidavit from the owner.
• Records held by local emergency management agencies related to dams/reservoirs must be transferred to AEMA by January 1, 2027; records may be kept non-public by AEMA.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 31, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Buildings, Construction & Infrastructure