HB450 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Lynn Greer
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Agriculture authority, counties authorized to establish, duties and powers, provided of authority
Summary: The bill would let counties form an Agriculture Authority to promote farming-related businesses and development, with authority to plan a center, acquire property, enter contracts, borrow money, and enjoy tax and planning exemptions.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes a county (and its municipalities) to create an Agriculture Authority with a defined board and duties. The Authority can plan and develop an agriculture center, acquire property by various means, enter contracts, borrow money, and accept revenues or grants. It also allows the county and municipalities to fund the Authority, permits on-site alcohol sales at the center, and grants exemptions from municipal planning/zoning and from state, county, and local taxes for the Authority.

Who It Affects
Counties (and their municipalities) that choose to create an Agriculture Authority; they gain governing structure, powers to acquire land, borrow, enter contracts, and expend public funds for the Authority's purposes.
Farmers, agricultural businesses, workers, and residents in the county who may benefit from promoted agricultural activities, workforce development, and economic development through the agriculture center.

Key Provisions
Allows counties to establish an Agriculture Authority to promote agricultural businesses, operations, commodities, workforce development, and county economic development.
Sets up governance with a board (up to seven directors), including chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer; specifies appointment method and terms of office; requires directors to be county residents and qualified electors.
Authorizes the Authority to plan and develop an agriculture center, and to acquire property by gift, grant, lease, purchase, or eminent domain; to enter contracts and borrow money; and to accept revenues or grants.
Permits counties and municipalities to expend funds for the Authority’s purposes; allows sale of alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption within the agriculture center; exempts the Authority from municipal planning and zoning requirements.
Provides tax exemptions for the Authority (sales and use taxes, and ad valorem taxes) and allows borrowing and pledging of revenues or property as security.
Establishes advisory council (up to 10 members) to advise the board; allows dissolution with transfer of assets to the county; includes provisions for amendments to adjust the Authority’s authorized area.

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