SB17 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Space, Alabama Space Authority created, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Alabama Development Office, Alabama Department of Transportation, Governors office, Legislature, promote space exploration
Summary: The bill creates the Alabama Space Authority within ADECA to promote space exploration and develop a spaceport in Alabama, with representation from key state agencies and lawmakers.
What This Bill Does
Establishes the Alabama Space Authority within the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to promote space research, spaceport technologies, and related economic development, including licensing and developing a spaceport in Alabama. Defines the Authority's composition (Director of Commerce, Director of ADECA, Director of ALDOT, and six members appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate) and how they are chosen. Gives the Authority powers and duties to pursue a federally licensed spaceport, develop spaceport facilities (state, private, or public-private), lease facilities, promote education and training, sponsor conferences, encourage venture capital and public-private partnerships, propose business initiatives and tax incentives, and collaborate with tourism and public agencies to promote space benefits.

Who It Affects
State government entities and officials (ADECA, Department of Commerce, Alabama Department of Transportation, Governor, and Legislature) who would establish, govern, and oversee the Space Authority and its activities.
Private sector and academic partners in aerospace and related industries (spaceport developers, aerospace/aviation companies, venture capital and public-private partners, and universities) who would participate in developing spaceport facilities, conducting research, training programs, and benefiting from new economic development initiatives.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Alabama Space Authority within ADECA.
Authority composition includes three state directors plus six members appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
ADECA provides initial support to apply for grant funding; administration support is provided after grant funding is received.
Duty to secure federal license for a spaceport and to develop a spaceport as a state, private, or public-private facility; authority to lease spaceport facilities.
Duty to promote aerospace education and training, space exploration, space tourism, and spaceport technologies; sponsor conferences and business roundtables.
Duty to encourage venture capital and public-private partnerships to promote space entrepreneurship and growth.
Duty to propose business initiatives, tax credits, incubator programs, and other measures to stimulate aerospace-related economic development and innovation.
Duty to promote roads, communications, Internet access, and leverage geographic assets to develop terrestrial analog test facilities.
Duty to identify, acquire, and manage public lands for space launches and related activities, and encourage space research and education centers to support these programs.
Duty to work with Department of Tourism and Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission to communicate benefits of space exploration and promote space tourism and training.
Powers to borrow money and issue bonds; to acquire and hold property; to lease facilities and set rents.
Powers and duties are exclusive to the Alabama Space Authority and not granted to other entities.
The Authority cannot be dissolved while it holds outstanding bonds or unpaid debt.
Authority members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as allowed for state employees.
The act becomes effective immediately after passage and approval by the Governor or otherwise becoming 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: Alabama Space Authority