HB37 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Joe Hubbard
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Alabama Purchase of Local Agricultural Products Incentive Program and Fund, established, restaurants purchasing certain agricultural products, rebates authorized, Agriculture and Industries Department to administer, appropriation, termination date specified
Summary: HB37 creates a state fund and incentive program to reward Alabama restaurants for buying Alabama-grown and produced agricultural products, with rebates administered by the Department of Agriculture and Industries and a sunset in 2015.
What This Bill Does
It establishes the Alabama Purchase of Local Agricultural Products Incentive Program Fund in the State Treasury. It allows the Department of Agriculture and Industries to grant incentive payments to eligible restaurants for purchases of Alabama agricultural products, with payments capped at 4% of eligible purchase costs per fiscal year and funded by the new fund (subject to appropriation). It covers administrative costs up to 5% of fund money and sets rules for applications, documentation, and eligibility. It ends on September 30, 2015, with any unspent funds reverting to the General Fund and no rebates after that date.

Who It Affects
Eligible Alabama restaurants that purchase Alabama agricultural products may receive rebate payments up to 4% of their purchases, subject to available funds and meeting documentation and rule requirements.
Alabama agricultural product producers and suppliers could benefit indirectly from increased restaurant demand for locally produced products, and may be affected by program rules and permitting requirements in order to participate.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Alabama Purchase of Local Agricultural Products Incentive Program Fund in the State Treasury and an incentive program to grant payments to restaurants for purchases of Alabama agricultural products.
Funds the program from appropriations and may accept grants/donations; allows investment of fund money; admin costs capped at five percent; unspent funds remain in the Treasury to be used for the act.
Incentive payments cannot exceed four percent of total Alabama agricultural product purchases by an eligible restaurant per fiscal year; requires an application and documentation; department to set rules for eligibility and required records; may require producer permits evidencing eligibility.
Payments are contingent on available funds; if funds are insufficient, payments are prorated among applicants based on each restaurant's share of Alabama product purchases.
Program and fund terminate September 30, 2015; no rebates after that date; unencumbered funds revert to the General Fund; effective date set to three months 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