Dredging; coastal areas, dredged materials required to be beneficially used by persons dredging certain amounts

SB 119 requires any entity dredging over 1 million cubic yards of material annually in Alabama's coastal areas to use at least 70% of that dredged material productively - such as for fish habitat, recreation, or commercial purposes - instead of disposing it in public waters. It directly affects large-scale dredging operations, including port maintenance or coastal development projects. The bill mandates the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and Conservation and Natural Resources to create rules implementing this requirement, including updating coastal management programs. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and includes a temporary emergency exception if the Governor declares a state of emergency.