SB345 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Agriculture authority, counties authorized to establish, duties and powers, board of directors, loans authorized

Summary

SB345 lets Alabama counties form an Agriculture Authority to build and operate an agriculture center and related facilities, with broad powers, funding options, and tax exemptions.

What This Bill Does

Allows a county to establish an Agriculture Authority to promote agricultural business, operations, and workforce development within the county. The Authority can plan and develop an agriculture center, acquire property, borrow money, enter contracts, accept gifts, and use or lease property to achieve its goals. It also enables on-site sale of alcohol at the agriculture center and provides tax exemptions for the Authority, while requiring fiscal oversight by the county and designated directors.

Who It Affects

• County governments (county commissions and municipalities within the county) may establish, fund, regulate, and oversee the Agriculture Authority, including approving articles of incorporation and providing public funds or property.
• Residents and qualified electors of the county (and the county's municipalities) may participate as incorporators and board members, with duties related to governance, and residents may benefit from the Authority's economic and workforce development activities.

Key Provisions

• A county may establish an Agriculture Authority to promote agricultural businesses, operations, commodities, workforce development, and county economic development within the county.
• An application process requires county commission approval and a resolution declaring the formation beneficial, followed by articles of incorporation filed with the judge of probate, detailing area, governance, term lengths (up to seven directors, up to six-year terms), and appointment method (majority appointed by legislative delegation).
• The board of directors (up to seven) elects a chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer; a majority constitutes a quorum; directors must be residents and qualified electors of the county; vacancies are filled per the articles.
• The Authority has broad powers, including planning and constructing an agriculture center, acquiring property, entering contracts, borrowing money, pledging revenues, and planning programs and exhibits for agricultural and workforce development.
• The Authority may lease or purchase real or personal property, accept gifts, use a corporate seal, hire staff and professionals, and enter financing agreements to support projects.
• Counties and municipalities may lease, sell, donate, or convey property to the Authority and may appropriate funds for its purposes, provided the county finds it will benefit residents; elections are not required for these actions.
• Alcoholic beverages may be sold for on-site consumption within the agriculture center.
• The Authority is exempt from municipal planning boards and zoning; it is exempt from state, county, and local sales and use taxes and ad valorem taxes, with tax proceeds remitted back as rebates to the local taxing authority when collected.
• The Authority may be dissolved by its board with county approval, in which case its assets and obligations transfer to the county.
• The act becomes law immediately upon governor’s approval.

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