SB 378 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Dam Safety Program; Emergency Management Agency required to administer, agency approval of participating dam construction, modification, or removal required

This bill would transfer responsibility for Alabama's Dam Safety Program from local emergency management agencies to the state-level Alabama Emergency Management Agency. Under the new rules, dam and reservoir owners who choose to participate in the safety program must submit construction, modification, or removal plans to the state agency for approval instead of notifying local agencies. The state agency would be authorized to create its own rules and fee structures to manage the program and must report implementation plans and budget needs to the Governor and Legislature. The legislation applies to privately owned dams that owners voluntarily elect to include in the program, while excluding small barriers and those under federal or other state jurisdiction.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Mar 31, 2026 Signed Apr 15, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 4 edits · Apr 15, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and enrolled into law, transitioning from an introduced draft to an official version. The substantive policy changes involve shifting dam safety administration from local emergency management agencies to the state-level Alabama Emergency Management Agency. This centralization ensures uniform oversight, requiring owners to obtain state approval before modifying dams and mandating the agency to submit implementation plans to the Governor and Legislature.

Scope change

The scope of administration changed from local emergency management agencies to the centralized Alabama Emergency Management Agency, which now holds exclusive authority over the Dam Safety Program.

REQUIREMENT

Dam and reservoir owners must now submit construction, modification, or removal plans to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency for approval, replacing the previous requirement to notify local agencies.

A new definition for 'ENGINEER' was added, establishing specific criteria for licensed professionals to ensure competence in dam safety investigation, design, and operation.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'DAM' was expanded to include fills or structures for highway, railroad, or other purposes that impound water, while clarifying exemptions for small barriers and privately owned dams that do not voluntarily participate.

FISCAL

The bill requires the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to submit a program implementation plan detailing operational and financial needs to the Governor and Legislature.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1328

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (State Government)

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1123

upper

Apr 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Mar 31, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors