SB97 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wendell Mitchell

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

SB97 requires biannual audits and public financial disclosures for promotional programs funded by assessments on multiple agricultural sectors, with reports sent to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries.

What This Bill Does

It mandates that each approved association conducting promotional programs must have a certified public accountant audit its books every two years and forward the audit to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries; the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts may also audit those funds. It also requires the association to send a financial statement within 90 days after the end of its fiscal year showing amounts received, collected, and spent for each project, which must be publicly accessible. The audits and examinations are open to public inspection, and these requirements apply to cattle, swine, soybeans, eggs, cotton, grain, catfish, sheep/goats, and shrimp/seafood programs.

Who It Affects

• Certified associations that manage promotional programs for agricultural products and receive funds from assessments; they must conduct biennial CPA audits, disclose audit findings, forward copies to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries, and make financial statements public within 90 days of fiscal year end.
• State Board of Agriculture and Industries (and the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts) which will oversee, receive, and inspect the audits and financial statements; and the general public who will have access to these records through public inspection.

Key Provisions

• Each approved association must have a two-year audit of its books and accounts conducted by a certified public accountant after its fiscal year, disclosing receipts, disbursements, expenditures, and related information, with a copy forwarded to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries.
• The Department of Examiners of Public Accounts may audit, review, and investigate the association’s funds in the same way as state agencies.
• Audits or examinations submitted to the State Board of Agriculture and Industries must be open to public inspection.
• Within 90 days after the close of a certified association’s fiscal year, if it has received funds from assessments, it must forward a financial statement to the State Board showing amounts received, collected, and spent for each project and item; the statement must be publicly inspectable.
• The requirements apply to the cattle, swine, soybean, eggs and egg products, cotton, grain, catfish, sheep and goats, and shrimp/seafood industries.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Agriculture and Industries Department