HB389 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg Wren

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Steve ClouseMike HubbardJay Love

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Alabama Cyber Technology Authority created, membership, powers, dissolution

Summary

HB389 would create the Alabama Cyber Technology Authority to foster cooperation among higher education, government, and business to develop cyber technology projects and related education, funded by a new state treasury fund.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates the Alabama Cyber Technology Authority to promote cyber technology research, development, and education through collaboration among universities, government agencies, and the private sector. It establishes a diverse board, leadership and meeting rules, and broad powers to support research, secure networks, protect critical infrastructure, and work with public and private partners. It also creates the Alabama Cyber Technology Fund to receive and manage money for the authority, provides tax exemptions and nonprofit status, and sets rules about not competing with public universities for external funding and about dissolving the authority if goals are met.

Who It Affects

• Higher education institutions and their students in Alabama, who would collaborate on cyber technology research, development, and related education opportunities and potentially benefit from funding and partnerships.
• State government agencies, law enforcement, homeland security, and private sector businesses in Alabama, which would participate in projects and may benefit from improved cyber infrastructure, security, and research collaborations.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Cyber Technology Authority to encourage 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 operate the authority and fund collaborative research; funds may come from fees, grants, gifts, and appropriations, with end-of-year reappropriation.
• Defines a diverse board of members from state agencies, university systems, regional and historically black institutions, business sector, prosecutors, attorney general, DHS advisor, and legislative leadership; includes provisions for chair, vice chair, and secretary.
• Grants the authority powers to support research, secure cyber networks and critical infrastructure, conduct legal proceedings, adopt bylaws, provide resources to government and industry, accept gifts, procure insurance, acquire property, enter contracts, and hire staff.
• Provides for meetings, quorum, and non-compensation of members; allows participation by telephone or electronic means; authorizes closing meetings under certain conditions.
• Exempts the authority’s property and income from state taxation; the authority operates as a nonprofit and its net earnings do not benefit private persons.
• Restricts the authority from pursuing funding or actions that would compete with public universities for external funding and clarifies no private IP rights accrue to the authority for products developed with its resources.
• Allows dissolution by majority vote with asset transfer to a state entity if goals are achieved.

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