Senator’s Progress on Key Bill for Alabama

A senator from Alabama, who is part of the Senate Budget Committee, made strides on Tuesday with colleagues in the 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Institutions Approvals Committee. Before advancing to the US House of Representatives, the bill needs to undergo further consideration in the Senate.

The legislation includes over $14.4 million secured by Britt, aimed at bolstering local law enforcement, supporting essential university programs statewide, and funding significant projects and research related to sediment flow at mobile ports.

“Alabama is a leader in space exploration, home to some of the nation’s most dedicated law enforcement agencies and, as a Gulf state, it plays a vital role in ocean and wildlife research,” Britt stated.

Below is a breakdown of some of Britt’s priorities for Alabama:

• $100 million designated for drones and associated equipment for Dothan’s “Drone as First Responder” initiative.
• $500,000 allocated to the City of Enterprise for law enforcement equipment aimed at combating fentanyl trafficking.
• $435,000 for new law enforcement vehicles for the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Department.
• $650,000 for the emergency communication infrastructure in Lawrence County.
• $750,000 set aside for rapid DNA testing by the Alabama Department of Forensic Science.
• $500,000 for the Alabama Port Authority to research sediment sources impacting mobile ports.
• $1 million for Auburn University to innovate in agricultural technologies.
• $2 million to advance weather forecasting solutions for Southern Alabama.

Britt emphasized his advocacy for funding directed to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, particularly as it pertains to over $1.3 billion allocated for space launch systems, more than $2 billion for two distinct human landing system vehicles, and over $110 million dedicated to nuclear thermal propulsion systems. The 26 CJS bill also encompasses $30 million for the Cooperative Institute for Hydrology Research at the National Water Centre in Tuscaloosa to tackle increasing water-related challenges facing the country.

Additionally, Britt supported a $5 million increase for the National Data Buoy system, $850,000 for the National Marine Fisheries Service, and continued efforts to enhance shrimp fishing techniques, while maintaining funding for Sea Grant Aquaculture Research and full backing for Seamap.

“At the University of Alabama in Huntsville, I was proud to advocate for the inclusion of $11 million for the dangerous weather research program in the southeast Vortex,” Britt’s release noted.

The 26 CJS bill also features crucial national funding priorities, including $10.6 billion for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, $2.6 billion for Drug Enforcement efforts against drug cartels, and $720 million aimed at supporting state and local law enforcement in addressing violence against women.