SJR105 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Healthy Food Financing Initiative Study Commission, created

Summary

Establishes the Alabama Healthy Food Financing Initiative Study Commission to study healthy food financing options and grocery project opportunities in Alabama and report findings to the legislature.

What This Bill Does

Creates a diverse study commission with lawmakers, grocers, health and child advocacy organizations, and state agencies to examine federal, state, and local healthy food financing programs; identify potential grocery or health-food projects in Alabama; and develop a Healthy Food Financing Retail Project Pipeline based on factors like development costs, feasibility, store format/size, and readiness for capital investment. The commission must organize, then report its findings and any proposed legislation by the 10th day of the 2017 Regular Session, after which it dissolves. It can receive clerical support and its legislative members receive per diem and travel expenses through the Legislature.

Who It Affects

• Grocery retailers and wholesalers in Alabama, who may participate in identifying and pursuing healthy-food-project opportunities as part of the commission's work.
• Alabama residents, especially in areas with limited access to healthy foods, who could benefit from future healthy food financing initiatives.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Healthy Food Financing Initiative Study Commission.
• Specifies commission membership: two Senators (one from the minority party), two House members (one from the minority party), two Alabama Grocers Association members (one wholesale, one retail), and appointees from VOICES for Alabama's Children, the Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the Governor, the President of Alfa, and the Executive Director of the American Heart Association.
• Requires appointment of members to reflect racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity.
• Gives the commission duties to scan existing programs, identify potential projects, and develop a Healthy Food Financing Retail Project Pipeline with factors including costs, feasibility, retail format/size, and readiness for capital investment.
• Requires an initial organizational meeting after adjournment of the 2016 Regular Session and a report of findings and any proposed legislation by the 10th day of the 2017 Regular Session; the commission dissolves after reporting.
• Provides clerical support on request and authorizes per diem and travel expenses for legislative members, paid from funds appropriated to the Legislature.

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

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative