SB311 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Roger Bedford, Jr.
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Community development districts, sale of alcoholic beverages in dry counties, definition of expanded, Sec. 35-8B-1 am'd.
Summary: SB311 would broaden Alabama’s community development districts to include large private resort developments with freestanding cabins and allow alcohol sales within those districts under defined rules.
What This Bill Does
It expands the definition of a community development district to include private resort developments with freestanding cabins that meet specific size, ownership, and amenity criteria. It sets detailed requirements for these districts (acreage, water frontage, clubhouse size, golf and other guest amenities, and management) and designates non-discriminatory membership policies. It also authorizes the sale of alcoholic beverages within these districts under certain conditions, and establishes related tax and revenue arrangements for counties.

Who It Affects
Developers and owners of private resort developments who could qualify their properties as community development districts and potentially sell alcohol within those districts.
County governments and residents within counties hosting these districts, who would experience alcohol-related revenue rules, tax and license fee distributions, and local compliance considerations.

Key Provisions
Expands 'community development district' to include private resort developments operating freestanding cabins used for overnight or extended stays, with criteria such as minimum acreage, ownership structure, HOA governance, and non-discrimination policies.
Adds resort-specific definitions (subsections g and h) with requirements like minimum acreage (400+ or 650+ depending on variant), water frontage, lodge size, guest amenities (marina, skeet range, golf, clubhouse), and on-site management, all governed by an incorporated homeowners association.
Authorizes sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages within districts defined under these new subsections, with 35-8B-3 not applying to those alcohol sales in such districts.
For affected districts, requires counties to participate in tax and license fee distributions and establishes rules for offsetting county alcohol revenues against TVA in-lieu-of-taxes payments, benefiting TVA-served counties.
Specifies that in some district definitions, on-premises alcohol sales are allowed and sets proximity-related restrictions in other defined districts (e.g., certain limitations related to highways).
Effective date: the act becomes effective immediately after passage and approval by the Governor.

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