HB 135 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Ports; creates the Alabama Port Infrastructure Grant Program in Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

HB 135 creates the Alabama Port Infrastructure Grant Program under the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to fund improvements at publicly owned inland ports and transportation hubs connecting different shipping methods (like rail and barge). It allocates $5 million annually starting in 2026 for competitive grants, requiring 20% local matching funds and limiting state funding to 50% of project costs. The program prioritizes projects that reduce highway congestion, boost port tonnage, and enhance regional competitiveness, while explicitly excluding routine maintenance, administrative costs, and new port construction without prior feasibility studies. Funding must directly support capital improvements, dredging near existing ports, or infrastructure development outside normal operating budgets.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2026 Last action Feb 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · Feb 26, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduced version to an engrossed version, incorporating significant substantive changes to the definitions of ports and the rules for funding grants. The most critical change is the addition of a new eligibility requirement that allows grants for establishing or constructing entirely new ports, provided a feasibility study is submitted. Additionally, the definition of 'Inland Port' was clarified to exclude the Port of Mobile, and the definition of 'Port Facility' was expanded to explicitly include handling cargo owned by third parties.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include the creation of new ports, which was not explicitly covered in the introduced version, and clarified the specific types of facilities eligible for funding.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new eligibility criterion allowing grant funding for the establishment or construction of new ports, contingent upon submitting a feasibility study and competitive analysis to the department.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'Inland Port' to clarify that it specifically excludes the Port of Mobile.

Modified the definition of 'Port Facility' to explicitly state that it must handle cargo owned by third parties.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement limiting individual grant awards to no more than 20 percent of the total grant funds available in a single fiscal year.

Added a new requirement limiting indirect and administrative costs to a maximum of 10 percent of the awarded amount.

Added a new eligibility condition requiring that funded projects be for purposes of making improvements to ports or intermodal infrastructure facilities.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Finance and Taxation General Fund)

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 641

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 640

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Introduced

Ways and Means General Fund Engrossed Substitute Offered (Ways and Means General Fund)

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Ways and Means General Fund)

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Committee in House of Origin (Ways and Means General Fund)

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Ports, Waterways and Intermodal Transit)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors