SB247 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Bryan TaylorRoger Bedford, Jr.Gerald O. DialGerald H. Allen

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Farmers' Market Authority, transfer to Agriculture and Industries Department, approval of Commissioner and Board of Agriculture and Industries for certain actions by authority, duties, bonding authority, Secs. 2-5-1 to 2-5-17, incl., 2-5-30 to 2-5-39, incl., repealed; Secs. 2-5A-1 to 2-5A-15, incl., 2-5A-30 to 2-5A-39, incl., added

Summary

The Farmers' Market Authority is moved into the Department of Agriculture and Industries, reorganized as Chapter 5A, and given authority to issue bonds to finance market facilities.

What This Bill Does

The bill repeals the old Farmers' Market Authority structure and creates the Farmers' Market Authority as part of the Department of Agriculture and Industries (Chapter 5A). It transfers all authority, assets, and personnel to the department and sets up a director to run the program, with authority to establish, regulate, and enforce farmers' markets, including grading and sale rules. It authorizes up to $10 million in bonds to build and maintain market facilities, payable from market revenues or appropriations (not a general State debt), with refunding options and investment rules. It also creates a special fund for market maintenance and allows long-term leases (up to 30 years) for market facilities.

Who It Affects

• Farmers and market vendors who sell at Alabama markets, who would be regulated by new market rules, grading standards, price minimums, and enforcement actions.
• The Department of Agriculture and Industries and local governments (cities/counties) that administer and finance markets, who would oversee operations, collect revenues, issue bonds, manage funds, and regulate market sites.

Key Provisions

• Replaces Chapter 5 with Chapter 5A and moves the Farmers' Market Authority into the Department of Agriculture and Industries.
• Transfers all FM Authority functions, records, funds, equipment, and personnel to the department.
• Authorizes the Commissioner, with Board approval, to establish and regulate farmers' markets, including grading, pricing, and enforcement rules.
• Allows the department to issue bonds up to $10,000,000 to acquire, construct, enlarge, improve, renovate, equip, and maintain market facilities, with bonds as limited obligations payable from specified revenues and not from the state's general funds; includes refunding and investment provisions.
• Creates a special fund for market maintenance and capital outlay, deposits revenues from market charges and leases into this fund, and permits long-term leases up to 30 years.

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

Subjects

Farmers' Market Authority