HB589 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Joe Faust
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Baldwin Co., privilege license tax, distribution of, Baldwin County Community Capital Fund, further provided for, Sec. 45-2-244.183 am'd.
Summary: HB589 changes how Baldwin County distributes the privilege license tax money, creating a dedicated Community Capital Fund and reshaping allocations to the legislative office and historic sites.
What This Bill Does
It amends the statute that governs Baldwin County's privilege license tax distributions. The bill directs 75% of receipts to the county general fund, with an annual set-aside of $100,000 to $200,000 for the Baldwin County Legislative Office. It also creates a separate Fort Morgan State Historic Site / Historic Blakeley Authority fund from which funds are used for capital outlay and operations under specific rules, including a three-year period where Blakeley mixes capital and operating use before shifting to capital outlay only; additional contributions may allow some funds to be used for operations. Finally, 12.5% is allocated to the Baldwin County Community Capital Fund for public purposes approved by the Baldwin County Legislative Delegation, with unspent balances carrying over. The bill also requires master plans, quarterly disbursements, and audits by the Examiners of Public Accounts, and it specifies up to $100,000 may be used to fund the Baldwin County Legislative Office. The act becomes effective October 1, 2015.

Who It Affects
Baldwin County businesses and individuals who pay the privilege license tax, as their payments will be distributed to specific county funds.
Baldwin County Commission and Baldwin County Legislative Delegation, which decide and oversee how the funds are spent.
Fort Morgan State Historic Site and the Historic Blakeley Authority, which receive funds for capital projects and operations under the new rules.
Baldwin County Legislative Office operations, which receive funding for office needs, equipment, staff, and travel (with a cap on travel).
Examiners of Public Accounts, which will audit the distribution and use of these funds.
Public for Baldwin County, who may benefit from funded capital projects and legislative office operations.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 45-2-244.183 to change how privilege license tax receipts are distributed in Baldwin County.
Allocations: 75% to the county general fund, with $100,000–$200,000 annually set aside into a Baldwin County Legislative Office fund; annual travel cap of $2,000 per member; funds subject to periodic audits.
Fort Morgan State Historic Site / Historic Blakeley Authority fund: 25% allocated to a separate fund to be used for Fort Morgan and Blakeley; Fort Morgan to use funds for capital outlay; Blakeley Authority to use 50% of the funds for capital outlay and 50% for operations for the first three years, then all for capital outlay; possible 50% operations if additional capital contributions are made; requires master plans; quarterly disbursements; deviations require county approval.
Baldwin County Community Capital Fund: 12.5% allocated for public purposes directed by the Baldwin County Legislative Delegation majority/unanimous direction; unspent balances carry over; up to $100,000 may be added to a separate fund for the Legislative Office operation.
Auditing: All privilege license taxes collected under this subpart must be audited by Examiners of Public Accounts.
Effective date: October 1, 2015.

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