HB283 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: James E. Buskey
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Grocery stores, program created to finance operation in low and moderate income areas, administered by ADECA, Healthy Food Financing Act
Summary: HB283 would create a Healthy Food Financing Act to fund grocery stores in underserved Alabama communities to increase access to fresh, nutritious food.
What This Bill Does
It would establish the Healthy Food Financing Fund to provide financing for the construction, renovation, or expansion of grocery stores in low- and moderate-income areas and underserved communities. The Department of Agriculture and Industries would administer the program, potentially partnering with nonprofits or community development financial institutions. Financing could be in the form of loans or grants, with at least 25% of funds reserved for grants or forgivable loans and up to 10% available for administrative costs. Projects would be required to meet eligibility standards and would be monitored and reported on annually to the Legislature.

Who It Affects
Grocery store developers (for-profit or nonprofit) who want to build, renovate, or expand stores in underserved Alabama communities.
Residents of low- and moderate-income areas who would gain better access to fresh produce and healthy foods.
Local workers and residents who would have job opportunities and where projects require hiring local personnel.
Public and private partners (nonprofits and community development financial institutions) that administer or participate in the financing program.

Key Provisions
Creates the Healthy Food Financing Fund to finance new, renovated, or expanded grocery stores in underserved communities.
Defines key terms used in the act (Department, Financing, Grocery Store, Low Income Area, Moderate Income Area, Underserved Community).
Requires at least 25% of fund money to be grants or forgivable loans; cap on administrative costs set at 10% unless covered by other funds.
Allows the department to contract with nonprofit organizations or community development financial institutions to administer the program in a public-private partnership.
Establishes eligibility guidelines, an application process, and project criteria focusing on need, impact, economic benefits, health education participation, and serving underserved areas.
Requires projects to allocate at least 30% of food retail space to perishable foods for at least five years.
Permits financing for site acquisition, construction, equipment, working capital, energy efficiency, and related pre-development costs and training.
Requires annual monitoring and reporting to the Legislature on funded projects, geographic distribution, costs, administration, and outcomes such as jobs and health impacts.
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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