SB208 - Alabama Drought Planning and Response Act

• Codifies the Alabama Drought Assessment and Planning Team (ADAPT) created by Governor's Executive Order 19 (June 24, 2011), establishing its membership from state agency officials and appointed representatives, with the Office of Water Resources Division Director serving as chair.

• Creates the Monitoring and Impact Group (MIG) Subcommittee as a standing committee of ADAPT to collect and assess drought-related data including rainfall, stream flows, reservoir elevations, soil moisture, and groundwater levels, and report impacts on water supplies, agriculture, industry, and recreation.

• Requires the Office of Water Resources to develop and periodically update a State Drought Plan (at least every 5 years) that includes drought level definitions, operating procedures, information dissemination, drought declarations, and water conservation measures.

• Mandates that each community public water system develop a drought conservation plan with graduated response procedures and specific enforcement mechanisms, with copies submitted to the Office of Water Resources and ADEM.

• Authorizes the Governor to declare a drought emergency and issue executive orders restricting or reducing water withdrawals under the Alabama Emergency Management Act of 1955, with preservation of drinking water as the first priority.