SB72/HB518 - Energy, Alabama Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Program, established, funding for energy and fuel projects, Advisory Commission on Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants, established, Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Fund, established, Agriculture and Industries Department Center for Alternative Fuels to administer, appropriation

Sponsor(s):
SB72 - Senator Ward
HB518 - Representative Ward

Summary/Synopsis: This bill would create the Alabama Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Program within the Department of Agriculture and Industries Center for Alternative Fuels to provide funding for public interest energy and fuel research and development projects. The program would be administered by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries through the Center for Alternative Fuels.

This bill would create an advisory commission to make recommendations regarding the program.
The bill would create a special fund in the State Treasury to provide funding for energy related research and development.
This bill would provide appropriations for the administration of the program.

Notes:

HB518 is the same as the original SB72.

Membership: Chair of the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Policy, who shall serve as chair; Lieutenant Governor; Speaker of the House; President of the Public Service Commission; Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries with the Lt. Governor, President of the Public Service Commission, and the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries each appointing a member who is not a member of the Legislature. Membership of the committee must reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state.

Initial appropriation: $100,000 in current and next fiscal year into separate fund for the program.

General goals: “develop and help bring to market technologies that enhance Alabama's unique portfolio of energy and fuel resources and potential energy and fuel sources, particularly the significant fossil fuel, alternative fuel, and bioenergy resources of the state; provide increased environmental benefits; increase energy and fuel reliability in times of crisis; and lower energy and fuel costs.

League Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring SB72 and HB518.

Bill Progress in Legislature:
SB72:
2/7/2012: First reading and referred to the 02/21/2012: 2nd reading and placed on the calendar with one amendment (137039-2); pending 3rd reading and favorable from E&NR.

Note: The amendment reduces legislative funding from $100,000 to $20,000.
03/22/2012: Read for the 2nd time and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd reading and Favorable from A&F.

5/2/2012: 3rd Reading Carried Over; E&NR Amendment (137039-2) offered; Ward motion to Carry Over Temporarily adopted by Voice Vote; Further Consideration.
5/09/2012: Indefinitely postponed.


HB518:
03/14/2012: Read for the 1st time and referred to the 3/21/2012: on committee schedule at 3:30 p.m. in Room 410.
4/12/2012: 3rd reading passed; Wren Amendment (140923-1) offered; Motion to Adopt adopted (92-0-0); Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted (88-0-0); Buskey intended to vote “Yea”; Engrossed.
4/17/2012: Read for the 1st time in the Senate and referred to the
4/24/2012: on E&NR calendar, Room 325, 1:00 p.m.

4/26/2012: Read for the 2nd time and placed on the calendar 1 amendment; E&NR 2nd Amendment (141569-4) Offered; Pending 3rd reading and favorable from E&NR with 1 Amendment.

Note: Amendment 141569-4 allows for the Lt. Gov., Speaker, and Senate Pro Tem to appoint a designee to serve on the committee in their stead.

5/2/2012: Ward Motion to Adopt adopted; Ward motion to Carry Over to the Call of the Chair adopted by Voice Vote; 3rd Reading Passed; Ward Amendment (142365-1) offered; Ward motion to Adopt adopted; Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted (31-0-0)

Note: Ward amendment (142365-1) gives House and Senate Black caucus appointment of one committee member each.

5/08/2012: House – Concurrence Requested; Jones Motion to Concur In and Adopt adopted (101-0-1); Enrolled.
5/09/2012: Senate – Concurred in 2nd House Amendment; Signature Requested; House – Clerk of the House Certification; Delivered to the Governor at 11:45 a.m.