Alabama HB38: State waters; Alabama Seagrass Restoration Task Force established to remediate seagrass loss within state marine waters

What the bill says

An Act, to state marine waters; to create the Alabama Seagrass Restoration Task Force; and to provide for its membership and duties.

From the enrolled text:

An Act, to state marine waters; to create the Alabama Seagrass Restoration Task Force; and to provide for its membership and duties. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a collaborative and coordinated effort among public and private research entities to develop restoration technologies and approaches to address the loss of seagrass within state marine waters and the cascading ecological and economic impacts of that loss to this state. Section 2. (a) The Alabama Seagrass Restoration Task Force is established to lead and expedite formulating, testing, and developing innovative, effective, cost-efficient, and environmentally sustainable technologies to restore coastal seagrass ecosystems by building upon research and efforts within the public and private sectors. (b) The task force shall consist of the following members: (1) The executive director of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to serve as a cochair. (2) The President of the University of South Alabama, or his or her designee, to serve as a cochair. (3) The Chair of the House of Representatives Ports, Waterways, and Intermodal Transit Committee. (4) The Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, or his or her designee who has expertise in Page Resources, or his or her designee who has expertise in HB38 Enrolled seagrass ecosystems. (5) The Director of the Mobile …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Brown, Chip (R, HD-105) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. March 9, 2026: Enacted
2. February 25, 2026: Delivered to Governor
3. February 25, 2026: Signature Requested
4. February 25, 2026: Enrolled
5. February 25, 2026: Ready to Enroll
6. February 25, 2026: Brown Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 594
7. February 12, 2026: Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 386
8. February 12, 2026: Sessions motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 385
9. February 12, 2026: Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry 1st Amendment Offered
10. February 12, 2026: Third Reading in Second House

Votes

• House Roll Call #594 (February 25, 2026): 91 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Roll Call #386 (February 12, 2026): 32 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Roll Call #385 (February 12, 2026): 32 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Roll Call #384 (February 12, 2026): 31 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Roll Call #141 (January 22, 2026): 102 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Roll Call #140 (January 22, 2026): 103 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB38?

HB38 is a bill in the Alabama Legislature (2026 Regular Session): State waters; Alabama Seagrass Restoration Task Force established to remediate seagrass loss within state marine waters.

What does HB38 do?

In its own words: An Act, to state marine waters; to create the Alabama Seagrass Restoration Task Force; and to provide for its membership and duties.

What is the status of HB38?

Signed into law as of March 9, 2026. Latest action: Enacted (March 9, 2026).

Who sponsored HB38?

Brown, Chip (R, HD-105).

Where is the official record for HB38?

On the Alabama Legislature website: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/instrument/2026RS/HB38