Bill > HB135

This bill establishes the Alabama Port and Airport Infrastructure Grant Program within the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), a state agency responsible for economic development and community affairs. The program aims to fund improvements, maintenance, and construction of ports and intermodal facilities across Alabama. An intermodal facility is defined as a transportation hub that connects different modes of transport for people and goods, facilitating their movement. The bill clarifies that "port" now includes inland ports, coastal public ports, and the Port of Mobile. Grants awarded through this program will require a minimum of 20% local matching funds and cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost, with individual grants capped at 20% of the total annual grant funds. Funds can be used for capital improvements, economic development, rebuilding infrastructure, intermodal development, and planning, but not for routine maintenance or general operating expenses. The bill also creates the Alabama Port Infrastructure Fund, which will receive annual legislative appropriations, with a specific mention of increasing the annual appropriation from $2 million to $5 million, to support these grants. The bill emphasizes that it does not alter existing laws governing port or infrastructure commissions or authorities and preserves their existing powers and funding sources. ADECA will be responsible for developing application procedures, eligibility criteria, and awarding grants based on a competitive scoring system, and will also adopt necessary rules for program implementation. The bill also mandates an annual report on awarded grants and their impact.

Transportation and Infrastructure

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