HB395 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Greg Wren
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Alabama Cyber Technology Authority created, membership, powers, dissolution
Summary: HB395 creates the Alabama Cyber Technology Authority to coordinate cyber technology research, development, and education across state universities, government, and business, with a dedicated fund and broad powers.
What This Bill Does
The bill establishes a new Alabama Cyber Technology Authority and a dedicated Alabama Cyber Technology Fund to support cyber projects and related education. It outlines who will serve on the board, how long they serve, and how meetings and leadership are handled. It gives the authority broad powers to conduct research, partner with public and private entities, enter contracts, and accept funding, while prohibiting actions that would compete with universities for external funding and ensuring assets are managed responsibly or dissolved if goals are met.

Who It Affects
Public and private higher education institutions (universities and regional colleges) by involving them in governance, research collaboration, and access to funded cyber projects and educational opportunities.
Businesses and industry groups by enabling partnerships, potential funding or contracts for cyber technology projects, and opportunities to benefit from research and development conducted with public universities.

Key Provisions
Creates the Alabama Cyber Technology Authority to promote cooperation among higher education, business, and government on cyber technology research, development, and education.
Establishes the Alabama Cyber Technology Fund in the State Treasury to fund the Authority's operations and collaborative university research, with funds reappropriated annually.
Defines a diverse membership including university presidents, state officials, business leaders, legal authorities, and security agencies, with two-year terms for non-ex officio members and no compensation.
Powers include conducting and supporting cyber research (classified and non-classified), securing networks and critical infrastructure, entering contracts, accepting gifts/grants, and employing staff or consultants.
Exempts Authority property and income from state taxes, and ensures contractual obligations do not create state or university debts.
Requires the Authority to operate as a nonprofit and not compete with universities for external funding; prohibits private ownership of developments created with the Authority's resources.
Provides for dissolution by majority vote if purposes are accomplished, with assets assigned to a state entity.

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