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HB 285ALABAMASession 2026rsState Billon floor

Alabama HB 285 Establishes Grant Program and Fund for Coal-Impacted Communities Using Federal Lease Revenues

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

Last action · February 12, 2026: Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarSponsor: Bryan Brinyark

Companion · SB 155same policy, Senate version
Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Alabama HB 285 establishes the Coal-Impacted Communities Economic and Workforce Development Grant Program and the Renewing Coal-Impacted Communities Act Fund to distribute federal coal lease revenues starting January 1, 2027. The measure directs portions of these revenues to the State General Fund, the McDuffie Coal Terminal at the Port of Mobile, and the Alabama Surface Mining Commission, with remaining funds allocated for local workforce and infrastructure grants. The act takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Why it matters

s and communities in Fayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties gain access to dedicated grant funding for workforce training, infrastructure, and public works financed by federal mineral extraction royalties.

Background
  • The Federal Lands Program regulates coal mining and reclamation operations on federal lands pursuant to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920. context
  • The United States Department of the Interior Office of Natural Resources Revenue collects royalties and other revenues from coal production on federal lands and shares a portion with host states. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Local development organizations

Eligible non-profit entities, municipalities, counties, and industrial boards may apply for and receive grant funds for regional economic and workforce initiatives.

Directly affected

Alabama Department of Workforce

The department is tasked with implementing and administering the grant program, adopting rules, and managing the new fund while retaining up to 10 percent for administrative expenses.

Directly affected

Alabama State Port Authority

Receives an annual distribution of $500,000 from federal coal lease revenues for the McDuffie Coal Terminal at the Port of Mobile.

Directly affected

Alabama Surface Mining Commission

Receives an annual distribution of $250,000 from federal coal lease revenues and is eligible to use grant funds for its operations.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which areas in Alabama qualify as coal-impacted communities under this bill?
The bill designates Fayette County, Jefferson County, Tuscaloosa County, and Walker County as coal-impacted communities, alongside any other areas where coal is currently mined on federal lands, where a significant workforce is engaged in federal coal mining, or that have experienced economic impact from the decline of federal coal mining.
How will the revenues from federal coal leases be distributed starting in 2027?
Between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2030, annual revenues from will be distributed with the first $1,000,000 going to the State General Fund, the next $500,000 to the Alabama State Port Authority for the McDuffie Coal Terminal, the next $250,000 to the Alabama Surface Mining Commission, and the remainder into the Renewing Coal-Impacted Communities Act Fund for local grants.
Who administers the grant program and fund?
The Alabama Department of Workforce, led by its secretary, administers the grant program and the Renewing Coal-Impacted Communities Act Fund, with assistance from an advisory committee that reviews applications.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently on floor. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Passed.

Procedural history

4 actions
  1. Feb 12, 2026House
    Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
  2. Feb 11, 2026HouseCommittee
    Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
  3. Jan 20, 2026HouseCommittee
    Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
  4. Jan 20, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means General Fund

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Bryan BrinyarkHouse · District 16RepublicanPrimary sponsor

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

financial connection95% confidence

Federal Mineral Royalties Directed to Local Economic Funds

The legislation establishes a structured mechanism to capture federal coal lease revenues via 30 U.S.C. § 191(a) and allocate specific dollar thresholds to state funds, port operations, and local development grants.

State TreasuryMcDuffie Coal TerminalAlabama Surface Mining Commission

Connected Entities

Renewing Coal-Impacted Communities Act Fund, McDuffie Coal Terminal, Walker County and 9 more
OrganizationRenewing Coal-Impacted Communities Act Fund“New fund created within the State Treasury.”Map →
locationMcDuffie Coal Terminal“Primary export terminal for coal extracted from federal lands in Alabama.”Map →
locationWalker County“Designated as a coal-impacted community.”Map →
OrganizationAlabama Department of Workforce“Administers the grant program, the fund, and adopts implementation rules.”Map →
locationFayette County“Designated as a coal-impacted community.”Map →
OrganizationUnited States Department of the Interior Office of Natural Resources Revenue“Collects royalties and other revenues from coal production on federal lands.”Map →
OrganizationAlabama State Port Authority“Receives funds for the McDuffie Coal Terminal at the Port of Mobile.”Map →
OrganizationAlabama Surface Mining Commission“Receives distributed revenues and uses grant funds for operations.”Map →
OrganizationCoal-Impacted Communities Economic and Workforce Development Grant Program Advisory Committee“Advisory committee established to review grant applications and make recommendat”Map →
locationJefferson County“Designated as a coal-impacted community.”Map →
locationPort of Mobile“Location of the McDuffie Coal Terminal.”Map →
locationTuscaloosa County“Designated as a coal-impacted community.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

alison.legislature.state.al.us

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy15
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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