HJR191 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thad McClammy

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Blackbelt Infrastructure Legislative Committee, estab., membs., duties

Summary

Establishes the Blackbelt Infrastructure Joint Legislative Committee to study Blackbelt infrastructure needs and identify infrastructure options to support industrial development.

What This Bill Does

Creates a six-member voting committee (three Senate, three House) plus four nonvoting members from key state agencies to study infrastructure needs in the Blackbelt and how to meet them. Sets appointment methods, elects a chair and vice chair, and allows meetings and public hearings anywhere in Alabama. Requires a report to the Legislature by the 10th legislative day of the 2015 and 2016 Regular Sessions and dissolves after the 2016 report, with clerical support provided as requested and funding limited to a $5,000 per fiscal year expenditure cap. Establishes compensation rules for members and restricts additional pay during sessions or when other payments are being received.

Who It Affects

• Residents and businesses in the Blackbelt counties who may benefit from infrastructure assessments and recommended improvements
• State legislators serving on the committee who will receive compensation and expenses per state rules
• The Alabama Department of Commerce, the Department of Transportation, and the Bureau of Tourism and Travel (as nonvoting advisory members)
• The general public, who may participate in public hearings and benefit from the committee's findings and recommendations

Key Provisions

• Creates the Blackbelt Infrastructure Joint Legislative Committee with six voting members (three Senate, three House) and four nonvoting members from state agencies
• Appointments: one Senate member by the Lieutenant Governor; two Senate members by the Senate Committee on Assignments; three House members by the Speaker of the House; nonvoting members appointed by the agency heads (Commerce, Transportation, Tourism and Travel)
• Chair and vice chair elected at the first meeting; committee may meet and hold public hearings anywhere in Alabama
• Committee studies all facets of Blackbelt infrastructure needs and how to meet them to encourage and facilitate industrial development
• Administrative support provided by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House upon request
• Reporting requirement: findings due to the Legislature by the 10th legislative day of the 2015 and 2016 Regular Sessions; committee dissolves after the 2016 report
• Compensation and expense rules: members receive regular compensation, per diem, and travel expenses; after the 2014 General Election, compensation follows Amendment 871; payments funded from legislative appropriations; no extra pay during session or when receiving other payments on the same dates
• Expenditure cap: total expenditures not to exceed $5,000 per fiscal year

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

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative