Signed by Governor Kay Ivey

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with house amendments and pass a bill that appropriates funds from the federal CARE Act to the state government to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights:

• Requires the Coronavirus Relief Fund amounts provided by the United States Congress to the state of Alabama from the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to be appropriated as follows (Sec. 3):

• Up to $300 million to reimburse state agencies for expenditures directly related to the coronavirus pandemic; 

• Up to $250 million to reimburse local governments for expenditures directly related to the coronavirus pandemic; 

• Up to $250 million to support the delivery of health care and related services to citizens of Alabama related to the coronavirus pandemic; 

• Up to $300 million to be used to support citizens, businesses, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations of the state directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic; 

• Up to $53 million for the reimbursement of equipment and infrastructure necessary for remote work and public access to the functions of state government that have been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, including the state legislature; 

• Up to $300 million for expenditures related to technology and infrastructure for remote instruction and learning; 

• Up to $200 million for reimbursement of costs necessary to address the coronavirus pandemic by the Department of Corrections; 

• Up to $10 million to reimburse costs necessary to ensure access to the courts during the coronavirus pandemic; 

• $5 million to reimburse the State General Fund for supplemental appropriations to the Alabama Department of Public Health; 

• Up to $118 million for any lawful purpose as provided by Congress, the US Treasury Department, or any other federal entity of competent jurisdiction.

• Authorizes any of the above funds to be used to provide a temporary loan to the Education Trust Fund and or the State General Fund in the amount equal to delayed tax receipts due to changes in tax filing provisions implemented after the COVID-19  public health emergency declaration (Sec. 3).

• Appropriates $400,000 from the State General Fund to the legislature for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2020, to be used for the senate (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text