HB121 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Agricultural products, cattle, swine, soybeans, eggs, cotton, grain, catfish, sheep, goats, shrimp, assessments for promotional programs by certified associations after referendums, audits changed to every two years, filing of financial statements with State Board of Agriculture and Industries, Secs. 2-8-19, 2-8-59, 2-8-99, 2-8-166, 2-8-207, 2-8-248, 2-8-288, 2-8-323, 2-8-363 am'd.

Summary

HB121 shifts agricultural promotion program audits from yearly to biennial and expands public financial reporting to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries.

What This Bill Does

It requires approved and certified associations that receive funds for agricultural promotion to have their two-year period books audited by a certified public accountant and to forward a copy of the audit to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries. It also requires these associations to publish a verified financial statement within 90 days after the close of their fiscal year, showing receipts, funds collected, and amounts spent for each project, and to keep this information open for public inspection. The Department of Examiners of Public Accounts may audit or review the funds as they do for state agencies, and all examinations and publications must be accessible to the public.

Who It Affects

• Producers and associations involved in the cattle, swine, soybean, eggs, cotton, grain, catfish, sheep and goats, and shrimp/seafood industries who fund promotional programs and must be audited and disclose financial information
• State Board of Agriculture and Industries which will receive audit copies and oversee the programs
• Certified associations that receive and disburse funds under these programs
• Certified public accountants and the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts who perform audits and reviews
• The general public, which gains access to the audit reports and financial statements

Key Provisions

• Audits for approved and certified associations must occur every two years by a certified public accountant
• A copy of each audit report must be forwarded to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries
• Within 90 days after the association's fiscal year, a verified financial statement must be published showing receipts, funds collected, and amounts spent for each project or item
• The financial statements must be available for public inspection
• The Department of Examiners of Public Accounts may audit, review, and investigate the funds in the same manner as audits of state agencies
• All examinations and audits must be open to public inspection
• The act covers multiple industry sections (cattle, swine, soybeans, eggs, cotton, grain, catfish, sheep and goats, shrimp and seafood) and updates reporting requirements accordingly
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Agriculture and Industries Department