This amendment changes the rules for Alabama's weatherization assistance program by raising income limits, allowing new types of nonprofit groups to manage funds, and clarifying how money can be added to the fund.
Alabama2026Enacted
HB609
HB609: Changes to the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Weatherization Fund
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 9:06 AM
In one sentence
This law raises the income limit for weatherization help, expands funding sources by removing taxpayer contributions and adding legislative discretion, and allows a state department to hire specific nonprofit groups to manage it.
What it does
- Increases the maximum household income needed to qualify for assistance from 125 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
- Removes taxpayer contributions sent by the Department of Revenue as a funding source and adds other revenue sources chosen by the Legislature, along with donations, gifts, grants, interest earned on fund money, and any other lawful sources.
- Authorizes the Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to contract with statewide resiliency organizations to provide energy assistance.
- Sets a limit that no more than 10 percent of the fund money can be used for administrative costs.
Who it affects
- Individuals or families whose income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
- People who are 60 years old or older, handicapped individuals, and families with children under 18.
- The Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
- Alabama nonprofit corporations that meet specific requirements to become statewide resiliency organizations.
Limits and unknowns
- The law states the Legislature decides on new revenue sources but does not list specific examples of what those sources will be.
- The bill requires ADECA to coordinate with other state and federal home weatherization assistance programs, but it does not detail how that coordination must happen.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Weatherization assistance
- Help provided through the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund for eligible recipients, though the bill does not define the specific types of home improvements included.
- Federal poverty level
- A set of income thresholds determined by the U.S. government used to decide if a household qualifies for certain aid programs.
- Statewide resiliency organization
- An Alabama nonprofit corporation that is exempt from federal taxes under 501(c)(3), works to improve energy efficiency and safety in homes, has directors who serve without pay, follows a conflict of interest policy, participates in large-scale programs, and can leverage funds.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
This act amends Sections 41-23-100 and 41-23-101, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) increase the maximum household income to qualify for weatherization assistance under the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund from 125 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty level; (2) revise the sources of monies that may be deposited into the fund by removing taxpayer contributions received by the Department of Revenue and adding other revenue sources at the Legislature's discretion and other lawful sources; and (3) authorizes the Department of Economic and Community Affairs to contract with statewide resiliency organizations to provide energy assistance to individuals eligible to receive assistance under the fund.
Official activity
Bill history
- EnactedHouse
- Delivered to GovernorHouse
- Signature RequestedSenate
- EnrolledHouse
- Ready to EnrollHouse
- Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1292 (Yeas 30, Nays 0)Senate
- Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarSenate
- Reported Out of Committee Second HouseSenate
- Pending Committee Action in Second HouseSenate
- Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation General FundSenate
- Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1152 (Yeas 103, Nays 0)House
- Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1151 (Yeas 102, Nays 0)House
- Third Reading in House of Origin (Yeas 103, Nays 0)House
- EngrossedHouse
- Ways and Means General Fund Engrossed Substitute OfferedHouse
- Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarHouse
- Reported Out of Committee House of OriginHouse
- Pending Committee Action in House of OriginHouse
- Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means General FundHouse
Changes
Amendments
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