HB302 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve McMillan

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Jay LoveMicky HammonKerry RichTerri CollinsHarry ShiverAlan BakerAlan HarperMike HillJamie IsonJoe FaustDuwayne BridgesWes LongMike BallRandy DavisJim McClendonCharles O. NewtonElaine BeechRichard J. LairdChad FincherBecky NordgrenMike MillicanLesley VanceThad McClammyMac McCutcheonJim PattersonJim CarnsJack WilliamsMike JonesThomas JacksonHoward SanderfordMike Hubbard

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Gulf State Park, Legislature to approve sale or long-term lease of any state park property, development, submission of proposals, criteria, review by department, acceptance or rejection, proposal exempt from certain statutes, Chapter 14D of Title 9 repealed, Secs. 9-14D-1 to 9-14D-5, inclusive, repealed

Summary

HB302 would allow Gulf State Park to be developed and managed through state-approved project agreements with private partners, while protecting park land from sale unless the Legislature approves it.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with Governor and a majority of the Joint Legislative Committee on State Parks, set up project agreements for Gulf State Park, including an open proposal process and rules to choose or reject proposals. It requires a majority vote in both the Senate and House to approve any sale or long-term lease of park land seaward of Highway 182 (except the project site), and repeals a prior law (Chapter 14D). It also lays out how proposals are made, how project agreements are negotiated, and how revenues and property are handled, including a cap of 99 years on ground leases and state ownership of project property after expiration.

Who It Affects

• Private developers, contractors, and other private entities who may submit proposals to develop or operate parts of Gulf State Park and negotiate project agreements with the state
• State government actors (the Governor, the Joint Legislative Committee on State Parks, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) who oversee, approve, and regulate park projects, land sales restrictions, and final agreements

Key Provisions

• Sale/lease restriction: Any sale or long-term lease of park land seaward of Highway 182 in Baldwin County requires majority votes in both houses; the project site itself is exempt and cannot be sold
• Project management authority: DCNR, with Governor and majority JLCP approval, may enter into project agreements for Gulf State Park and may reject all proposals while negotiating terms most beneficial to the state
• Repeal and exemptions: Chapter 14D of Title 9 is repealed; project agreements are exempt from certain state laws, including procurement restrictions, under specified conditions
• RFP process and approval: The commissioner shall issue requests for proposals, publicly open them, and approve a final project agreement only with Governor and majority JLCP; if rejected or not acted upon, the commissioner negotiates a new agreement
• Project terms and finances: Projects may include improvements, revenues go to the State Park System, and ground leases may last up to 99 years; title to project property vests in the state after expiration
• Public funding and flexibility: The act allows private funding, donations, tax abatements, and other support for the project, with provisions governing use of project revenues and liability

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

Subjects

Gulf State Park