SB320 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Highway Authority, add'l bond issue for roads, bridges, and tunnels authorized, municipalities, counties, and public corporations authorized to enter funding agreements with authority, membership revised to include Governor, Secs. 23-1-154 to 23-1-158, inclusive, am'd.

Summary

SB320 updates the Alabama Highway Authority by adding the Governor to its board, revising leadership roles, and expanding how it can borrow and fund road projects.

What This Bill Does

First, it changes who runs the Alabama Highway Authority by adding the Governor as a member of the board, and it assigns official roles (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer) to specific state officials. It also lets municipalities, counties, public corporations, and other governmental entities enter funding agreements with the Authority and allows the Authority to receive donations. It authorizes the Authority to issue bonds up to 50 million dollars, with terms, redemption options, and Governor approval, and makes these bonds obligations of the Authority rather than the state. Proceeds from bonds and from fund sources must be used for public road, bridge, tunnel, and related improvements, with oversight by the Department of Transportation and restrictions on investment and use of proceeds.

Who It Affects

• State government officials who serve on the Highway Authority board (Governor, Director of Transportation, Director of Finance, State Treasurer, and Attorney General) will hold board and officer roles, changing governance of the Authority.
• Cities, counties, public corporations, and other government entities can enter funding agreements with the Authority and potentially receive bond-backed financing for road projects; donors may also contribute to the Authority.

Key Provisions

• Governance: The Governor becomes a member of the Alabama Highway Authority's board and the specified state officials hold officer roles (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer) with the board. No salaries beyond what is already authorized are added for these roles.
• Bonding and funding authority: The Authority can issue up to $50,000,000 in bonds (excluding refunding bonds) with terms set by the board, subject to Governor approval, and bonds are payable from pledged funds rather than the state; proceeds must be used for road, bridge, tunnels, and related projects, with DOT supervision of contracts and investment rules for proceeds.

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

Subjects

Highway Authority