HB2 Alabama 2015 2nd Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tommy Hanes

Republican

Session

Second Special Session 2015

Title

Jackson Co., TVA in lieu of taxes, distribution, use of funds distributed to co. commission for disaster relief authorized, Economic Development Fund created, Sec. 45-36-162 am'd.

Summary

HB2 would redirect TVA in-lieu-of-taxes funds for Jackson County into a new Economic Development Fund and set specific spending rules for local services and development programs.

What This Bill Does

It creates the Jackson County Economic Development Fund and requires 1% of TVA in-lieu-of-taxes payments to go into the fund until it has $1,000,000, with ongoing availability for disaster relief or economic development. The bill also designates fixed annual allocations to entities like the Jackson County Hospital Board (ambulance service), the Scottsboro-Jackson County Rescue Squad, the Jackson County Economic Development Authority (and a special industrial development fund), the Jackson County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments (and related fire departments), and the Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, plus additional distributions for schools and other government use. After these set allocations, remaining funds are distributed among a legislative office, the county’s Economic Development Authority, public schools, municipalities, the county general fund, and a new Jackson County Discretionary Fund governed by a Discretionary Committee.

Who It Affects

• Jackson County residents and taxpayers, who may benefit from enhanced ambulance service, fire protection, rescue services, and school funding, as well as broader disaster relief and economic development efforts.
• Public service and local government entities (Jackson County Hospital Board, Scottsboro-Jackson County Rescue Squad, volunteer fire departments, Jackson County Economic Development Authority, Jackson County Discretionary Committee, and the Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce) that receive designated funding or participate in program activities.
• Jackson County public schools, municipalities, and the county government, which receive specified shares of remaining funds and are subject to annual reporting requirements.
• County officials and lawmakers (County Commission, Revenue Commissioner, state legislators) who oversee and implement the new funding structure, fund allocations, and the discretionary process.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Jackson County Economic Development Fund and allocates 1% of TVA in-lieu-of-taxes payments to this fund until the balance reaches $1,000,000, with discretion to invest and spend for disaster relief or economic development to attract or retain jobs.
• Fixed annual allocations: $145,000 to the Jackson County Hospital Board for ambulance service; $25,000 to the Scottsboro-Jackson County Rescue Squad; $105,000 to the Jackson County Economic Development Authority; $75,000 to a special industrial development fund for recruitment and related activities (under the Authority); $5,000 to each qualifying volunteer fire department plus $30,000 to the Jackson County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments; and $25,000 to the Rescue Squad again; and $40,000 to the Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce for tourism, workforce development, education, and economic development (disbursed in two $20,000 payments).
• After these allocations, net remaining payments are distributed as follows: 2% to establish a legislative office; 2% to Jackson County EDA; a significant portion (percentages specified in the bill) to public school systems on a per-pupil basis; a portion to incorporated municipalities on a population basis; a portion to the county general fund; and a portion to the Jackson County Discretionary Fund.
• Creates a six-member Jackson County Discretionary Committee (including the County Commission Chair, a county commissioner, the Revenue Commissioner, the state senator, and two state representatives) with the state senator as chair; this committee decides all disbursements from the Jackson County Discretionary Fund by majority vote.
• Requires an annual accounting of how funds are used, due by September 30 each year; failure to provide the accounting may lead to reduction or termination of funding for the next fiscal year.
• Effective date: becomes law after the Governor signs it or otherwise becomes law.

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

Subjects

Jackson County