HB631 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama State Reservoir Management Development Program within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to award grants to qualified local entities for reservoir management and debris removal projects.

• Creates the State Reservoir Management Grant Fund funded by appropriations and donations, with administrative expenses capped at 3% of appropriated funds; grants must address invasive aquatic species control, debris removal after natural disasters, and installation/maintenance of navigational aids.

• Grant applicants must obtain written concurrence from reservoir owners/operators; applications accepted annually beginning October 1, 2022, with awards announced by February 1; grants require 50% matching funds from recipients and must be completed within two years.

• Adds a $5 additional registration fee on Class 1-4 vessels (boats less than 16 feet to 40+ feet in length), with all fees remitted monthly to the State Treasurer for deposit into the State Reservoir Management Grant Fund.

• Updates vessel registration code sections to transfer enforcement authority from Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and makes technical revisions to statutory language.

• Effective date: January 1, 2022.