House Resolution, Study Commission on Carbon Dioxide Storage Facility Fees established

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Andy Whitt

The bill creates a Study Commission to review and advise on carbon dioxide storage facility fees, evaluating current/ proposed fees, and recommending changes.

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

#resolutions

Summary of HR 288 (2026rs, Alabama)

Purpose and intent

House Resolution establishing a Study Commission on Carbon Dioxide Storage Facility Fees.

The core aim is to review and assess fees associated with carbon dioxide storage facilities, with the goal of providing a structured analysis and recommendations regarding the financial framework, oversight, and potential impacts of such fees.

Key provisions and changes

Establishment of a Study Commission: The bill creates a formal body—the Study Commission on Carbon Dioxide Storage Facility Fees (the Commission).

Scope of study: The Commission is directed to examine current and proposed fees related to carbon dioxide storage facilities, including how fees are assessed, collected, and allocated.

Review criteria: The Commission will evaluate:

The sufficiency and appropriateness of existing fee levels
The transparency and accountability of fee-setting processes
Economic and environmental impacts on industry, consumers, and government revenue
Comparisons with fee regimes in other states or jurisdictions

Recommendations: Based on its review, the Commission is expected to provide recommendations to legislators on potential adjustments to fee structures, legislative fixes, or policy changes to improve efficiency, fairness, and fiscal viability.

Reporting requirement: The Commission must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature (and presumably to relevant committees) within a specified timeframe.

Who or what would be affected

Carbon dioxide storage facilities: Subject to existing and potential new or adjusted fees; the Commission’s work could influence future fee levels or methodologies.

State government and agencies: Agencies involved in environmental regulation, energy policy, economic development, and revenue administration would engage with the Commission’s findings.

Stakeholders in the CO2 storage sector: Operators, project developers, investors, and associated service providers may experience changes in cost structure and regulatory oversight depending on the Commission’s recommendations.

General public and ratepayers: Indirectly affected through potential changes in energy costs, project viability, and state revenue.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Referral and committee action:

Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Rules (date indicated: March 31, 2026).
Reported out of committee from Rules and to the House for consideration (April 1, 2026).

Adoption action:

A motion to Adopt was presented by Lovvorn and adopted by voice vote (April 1, 2026), indicating approval of the measure or related procedural package.

Sponsor information:

Primary sponsor: (not specified in the excerpt)
Co-sponsor: Andy Whitt

Next steps: Upon adoption, the Commission would be constituted according to the bill’s provisions, conduct its study, and produce a final report with recommendations by a legislated deadline.

Notes

The summary reflects procedural history and the bill’s stated goal to study fees related to carbon dioxide storage facilities. The exact composition, membership, meeting schedule, funding, and deadline for the Commission’s report would be detailed in the bill’s text and any subsequent amendments.