SB411 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Co-Sponsor: Bill Holtzclaw
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Limestone Co., Tennessee Valley Authority, additional payments in-lieu-of-taxes, distrib. further provided for, Act 79-501, 1979 Reg. Sess. am'd. (2010-20886)
Summary: SB411 updates Limestone County's distribution of TVA in-lieu-of-taxes payments, adding targeted allocations and creating a legislative-office fund.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends how Limestone County distributes TVA in-lieu-of-taxes payments, including a fixed upfront distribution to certain local entities and fire departments, followed by a remainder distributed to county funds, schools, and cities with specified percentages. It also creates separate distributions for increases in payments generated by certain acts to a list of local organizations and to support Elm Industrial Park debts and ongoing economic development. Additionally, it establishes a Limestone County Legislative Office funded by a separate, county-controlled fund, with governance by the county legislative delegation and annual audits. The act takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

Who It Affects
Group 1: Limestone County and local organizations that receive the TVA payments or the dedicated enhancements, including Auburn University Cooperative Extension Service in Limestone County, Limestone County Soil and Water Conservation District, Limestone County Economic Development Association, Athens-Limestone Public Library, Houston Memorial Library, Veterans Museum and Archives, 13 volunteer fire departments, Calhoun Community College Limestone campus, Spirit of Athens, Greater Athens Chamber of Commerce, Athens-Limestone Rescue Squad, Athens State University, Limestone County Family Resource Center, Limestone County Recycling Center, Limestone County Economic Development Partners, Inc., and funds related to Elm Industrial Park.
Group 2: Limestone County government and its subdivisions that receive the remaining funds (Limestone County General Fund, Public Building Fund, Special Hospital Tax Fund, Countywide School Fund, School Districts 1 and 3, City of Athens, City of Ardmore, Elkmont, Mooresville, Lester) plus state legislators who would oversee and use the new Limestone County Legislative Office fund via the county delegation.

Key Provisions
Section 1, as amended, sets an upfront distribution of $293,000 per year beginning Oct 1, 2007, allocated to specific entities (including $40,000 to Auburn University Extension Service, $7,500 to the Soil and Water Conservation District, $37,500 to the Economic Development Association, $35,000 to the Athens-Limestone Public Library, $5,000 to the Houston Memorial Library, $12,000 to the Veterans Museum and Archives, and $12,000 to each of the 13 volunteer fire departments).
Remaining funds after the upfront allocations are distributed to listed county and city funds and school districts with specified percentage shares (e.g., County General Fund 25%, Public Building Fund 10%, School funds and districts 23.5%, 9%, 6%, etc., with City of Athens receiving 20% and other cities/districts receiving smaller percentages). Adjustments to School District shares occur in 2013–2014 and onward, with annual determinations by the County Commission starting in 2015 based on average daily membership.
Effective Oct 1, 2007, a separate 3% increase in in-lieu-of-taxes payments generated by Act 2006-655 is distributed first to a list of entities (including the Economic Development Association, Athens-Limestone Public Library, Calhoun Community College Limestone campus, Spirit of Athens, Greater Athens Chamber of Commerce, Athens-Limestone Rescue Squad, Athens State University, Limestone County Family Resource Center, Limestone County Recycling Center, and Limestone County Economic Development Partners, Inc.) and any remaining funds are used for Elm Industrial Park debts and then for economic development.
Effective after this act, any increase in in-lieu-of-taxes payments generated by Act 2010-135 is set aside in a separate fund to establish and maintain a Limestone County Legislative Office, with spending governed by resolutions from the Limestone County Legislative Delegation, staff, office space, equipment, and potential grants, and annual audits.
Section 2 states the act becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.

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