The bill, identified as SB60, aims to enhance the development, improvement, maintenance, and construction of inland ports and transfer facilities within the state of Alabama. It authorizes the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to facilitate and coordinate these efforts. The bill acknowledges the importance of inland ports in facilitating domestic and international trade, reducing highway truck traffic, and decreasing greenhouse emissions. It also recognizes the need for infrastructure enhancements to handle increased freight traffic due to the expansion of the Panama Canal and improvements to the Mobile Ship Channel.

The bill establishes the Inland Ports and Intermodal Development Fund within the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, which will receive appropriations from the State General Fund. This fund will finance improvements to existing publicly-owned inland ports and intermodal facility infrastructure through a competitive bid process. Priority will be given to projects that reduce highway congestion, increase port tonnage, and enhance regional competitiveness. The bill sets a minimum local funding participation of 20 percent for projects. It also outlines the types of projects eligible for funding and specifies that the Legislature shall annually appropriate $2 million from the State General Fund to the department for this purpose, starting in fiscal year 2026 and continuing through 2028, unless extended by further legislation. The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2024.