HB700 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jay Love

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Jim BartonSteve ClouseGreg WrenMike Hubbard

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Alabama Cyber Technology Authority created, membership, powers, dissolution

Summary

HB700 creates the Alabama Cyber Technology Authority to promote cyber technology projects, research, and education through collaboration among universities, business, and government, and to manage a dedicated state fund.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Cyber Technology Authority to foster cyber technology research, development, and education through collaboration among higher education, industry, and government. It sets up a diverse, rotating-governance structure with specific membership, meeting rules, and broad powers to study, fund, and manage cyber initiatives. It also creates the Alabama Cyber Technology Fund to finance the Authority's work, allows it to receive gifts and charge fees, and provides tax exemptions and a dissolution process.

Who It Affects

• Higher education institutions in Alabama (universities and colleges) participate in cyber technology research and education through the Authority and may benefit from collaboration and funding opportunities.
• Businesses, industries, and state/public agencies in Alabama can collaborate on cyber technology projects, access resources and funding channels, and use the Authority's work to improve security of critical infrastructure.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Cyber Technology Authority to foster cooperation among higher education, business, and government in cyber technology research, development, and education.
• Establishes the Alabama Cyber Technology Fund in the State Treasury to finance the Authority's operations with all related funds deposited there and reappropriated annually.
• Defines the Authority’s membership to include university leaders, state officials, and appointments by legislative leaders, with emphasis on diversity.
• Provides rotating co-chairs between Auburn University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham System, and elects a vice chair and secretary with two-year terms; sets meeting rules and non-compensated service; allows remote participation.
• Grants the Authority powers to conduct research, support facilities and infrastructure, pursue legal action, set bylaws, provide resources to government, universities, and industry, and accept gifts and contracts as needed for cyber projects.
• Authorizes the Authority to acquire property, enter contracts, procure staff and consultants, and manage insurance/guarantees as appropriate.
• Gives tax-exempt status to the Authority’s property and income, and clarifies that contracts and obligations are the Authority’s, not the state's, as a nonprofit entity.
• Provides for dissolution by majority vote when purposes are met, with assets reassigned to a state entity; specifies the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.

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

Subjects

Alabama Cyber Technology Authority