SB25 Alabama 2015 2nd Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg AlbrittonSenator

Republican

Session

Second Special Session 2015

Title

State parks, bond issue, park with hotel facility or golf course, exempt from requirement that facilities be operated exclusively by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Amendment 617, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, am'd., const. amend.

Summary

Proposes a constitutional amendment to allow non-state operation of hotels, golf courses, and related facilities at certain Alabama state parks and to authorize up to $110 million in bonds for park and historic site improvements.

What This Bill Does

It would allow non state entities to operate hotels, lodging facilities, or golf courses at parks that offer overnight accommodations or have a golf course, instead of requiring exclusive DCNR operation. It authorizes up to 110 million dollars in general obligation bonds for the state park system, public historical sites, and public historical parks. The bonds would be issued by two state corporations, pledged by the state, with proceeds used to pay bond costs and finance the projects; a 600 foot buffer between lake shores and private property would apply to lakes built with bond funds, and there would be refunding provisions. An election would be held to approve the amendment.

Who It Affects

• Private developers or non-state operators could operate hotels, lodging facilities, or golf courses at parks meeting the criteria.
• State taxpayers and government agencies would bear the debt and oversight for park improvements; DCNR would still generally oversee operations, except for the permitted exceptions; the two park improvement corporations would issue bonds.

Key Provisions

• Allows exception to exclusive DCNR operation for state parks with lodging or golf; non-state entities may operate these facilities.
• Authorizes up to 110,000,000 in general obligation bonds for the state parks system, public historical sites, and public historical parks.
• Bonds are direct general obligations; the state's full faith, credit, and taxing power are pledged for payment of principal and interest.
• 104,000,000 of the bonds issued for the state by the Alabama State Parks System Improvement Corporation; 6,000,000 by the Alabama Public Historical Sites and Parks Improvement Corporation for non-DCNR sites.
• Proceeds are deposited in dedicated funds and used for bond costs and the described park/historic site projects; lakes built with bond funds must have a 600-foot buffer to private property.
• Bonds may be refunded; issuance methods and terms are governed by the issuing corporations with the Governor's approval; no further legislative prereq required for validity; implementing legislation is required.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments