HB601 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Johnny Mack Morrow
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Lauderdale and Colbert Counties, Shoals Economic Development Fund, authorized to be used for workforce training and economic development programs at Univ. of North Alabama, Sec. 45-17-91.23 am'd
Summary: HB601 lets part of the Shoals Economic Development Fund be used for workforce training and economic development programs at the University of North Alabama.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends the Shoals Economic Development Fund rules to explicitly allow a portion of the funds to support workforce training and related economic development programs at the University of North Alabama. It adds a provision that the fund may provide an equal match up to $5 million for UNA’s programs. The fund will continue to support other economic development activities in the Shoals area, such as attracting new industries, developing land and buildings, and supporting administrative costs, but with specified limits and restrictions (e.g., no funding for certain retail or entertainment projects). Expenditures must serve a public purpose and promote local economic growth.

Who It Affects
University of North Alabama – may receive up to $5 million (as an equal match) from the Shoals Economic Development Fund for workforce training and economic development programs.
Lauderdale and Colbert Counties (and their municipalities) – local governments that administer or benefit from the Shoals Economic Development Fund; the bill expands the fund’s eligible uses to include UNA programs while maintaining other approved purposes and restrictions.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 45-17-91.23 to authorize a portion of the Shoals Economic Development Fund for workforce training and economic development programs at the University of North Alabama.
Adds a provision allowing an equal match of up to five million dollars ($5,000,000) to be expended for UNA's workforce training and economic development programs.
Maintains existing fund purposes such as inducing new manufacturing/industrial enterprises, warehousing/distribution, development of land/buildings for approved enterprises, and related services, with specific limits (e.g., no more than 10% of annual sales tax proceeds may be used for administrative costs).
Prohibits using fund moneys for certain types of projects (e.g., shopping centers, hotels, stadiums) not related to the approved economic development purposes, and requires expenditures to be for public purposes that promote economic development in the Shoals 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: Lauderdale County