SJR95 Summary

• Encourages federal, state, and local agencies to collaborate in developing a comprehensive debris removal policy for communities affected by natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods.

• The comprehensive policy should address debris removal costs, agency responsibilities, and completion timeframes to help communities rebuild more quickly after disasters.

• Identifies federal agencies (FEMA, EPA, Army Corps of Engineers) and state/local agencies (Alabama Emergency Management Agency, Department of Environmental Management, Department of Transportation, and county and municipal governments) as key participants.

• Urges participating agencies to prioritize hiring local contractors to implement debris removal and provide post-disaster assistance according to the established comprehensive policy.

• Recognizes that disaster debris includes hazardous materials (cleaning agents, pesticides, pool chemicals) and mixed solid waste that can threaten public health and safety if not properly managed and removed.