HB437 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jeremy OdenAlabama Public Service Commission

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Governor's Mansion Authority, established, members, duties, funding, employees, Governor's Mansion Advisory Board abolished, Secs. 41-9-530 to 41-9-532, inclusive, repealed

Summary

HB437 creates the Governor's Mansion Authority to preserve, operate, and maintain the Alabama Governor's Mansion and its surrounding complex, replaces the old advisory board, and sets funding, governance, and public-access rules.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a new state agency to manage the Governor's Mansion Complex, transfer ownership of the property to the Authority, and outline its funding and duties. It defines the Complex, its purposes, and the Authority's control over exterior and interior changes. It repeals the Governor's Mansion Advisory Board and creates funding mechanisms, public tours, and various powers to raise and spend money for preservation and operations.

Who It Affects

• Governor and First Family: will reside in the private quarters within the Governor's Mansion Complex, and governance decisions will affect preservation, usage, and access to areas of the Mansion and Hill House.
• Public, historic preservation groups, donors, and taxpayers: gain scheduled public tours of the Complex, ability to donate or fundraise for preservation, potential fees (parking, transportation), and tax-exempt status for the Authority's activities.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Governor's Mansion Authority to preserve, operate, and maintain the Governor's Mansion Complex, including adjacent properties.
• Lists 17 specific members (and designees) who will compose the Authority and mandates annual election of chair, vice chair, and secretary with terms and quorum rules.
• Gives the Authority exclusive control over the Complex, requires prior approval for exterior/interior changes (with private living quarters exempt), and subjects the Complex to Montgomery's historic preservation ordinance.
• Requires transfer of land, contents, and related property to the Authority within 30 days; authorizes the Authority to lease, accept gifts, or acquire property as needed.
• Establishes the Governor's Mansion Preservation Fund in the State Treasury to hold all money and gifts for the Authority's use, with funds staying in the fund until spent.
• Authorizes fundraising, loans, contracts, staffing, and services, including transportation for visitors, a visitor center, parking, souvenir sales, and publications.
• Allows publication of informational materials and grants from various sources to support the Authority's purposes.
• Keeps detailed accounting and auditing requirements, inventories of items, and tax-exempt status for the Authority and its activities.
• Treats Authority employees as state employees for insurance purposes and requires employer contributions.
• Provides for legal services from the state Attorney General and repeals the prior Governor's Mansion Advisory Board (Sections 41-9-530 to 41-9-532).
• Effective date: becomes law 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

Governor's Mansion Authority