HB679 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Alan Harper

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Barry Mask

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Economic development, certain actions authorized by the state to create jobs and promote economic and industrial development, const. amend.

Summary

HB679 would propose a constitutional amendment to let the state use public funds and government powers to create jobs and promote economic and industrial development, including buying land, developing sites, and lending or transferring funds to projects.

What This Bill Does

Gives the state broad power to buy, lease, or acquire property and develop industrial sites, including necessary infrastructure, for industry and economic development. Allows the state to lease, sell, or transfer such property to businesses or public/private entities to build and operate industrial, commercial, or research facilities. Authorizes the state to lend credit or provide public funds to individuals or firms for job creation and economic development, with oversight by the State Industrial Development Authority and safeguards to ensure public purpose. Validates and strengthens the powers of state economic development authorities (like the State Industrial Development Authority, the Alabama Incentives Financing Authority, and the Alabama 21st Century Authority) and allows their powers to operate alongside existing laws.

Who It Affects

• State government and its agencies would gain new authorities to acquire, develop, and finance industrial projects, including lending and transferring property.
• Private businesses, developers, and other entities could receive state land, facilities, or financing for projects, but would require approval from the State Industrial Development Authority and must be disclosed to the public.

Key Provisions

• (a)(1) The state may use public funds to acquire real property, buildings, facilities, machinery, and improve them for industry or industrial parks, including necessary infrastructure.
• (a)(2) The state may lease, sell, grant, or convey property or industrial projects to private or public entities for developing and operating facilities.
• (a)(3) The state may lend its credit or grant funds to support job creation and economic/industrial development.
• (b) The amendment would override certain constitutional and legal limits to empower these actions and validate powers of existing development authorities.
• (c) Any lending or public funding to private entities requires (1) prior written approval and a finding of public purpose by the SID Authority, and (2) at least seven days of public notice describing the action and beneficiaries.
• A sale at fair market value is not considered lending of credit or a public grant for these purposes.
• Section 2–3 describe that the amendment must be approved by voters in an election and outline the ballot description.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments