SB64 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Space, Alabama Space Authority, created within Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, membership and powers
Summary: SB64 creates the Alabama Space Authority inside the ADECA to promote space research, development, and a potential spaceport in Alabama.
What This Bill Does
The bill establishes the Alabama Space Authority within ADECA and assigns it duties to promote aerospace research, education, and spaceport technologies; sponsor conferences and roundtables; and encourage public-private partnerships and economic development in the aerospace sector. It requires representation from universities, state agencies, and industry experts to guide its work, and directs the authority to study the feasibility of obtaining a federally licensed spaceport and to identify and manage public lands for space-related activities. It also authorizes initial grant funding support through ADECA and empowers the authority to acquire or lease property as needed for its mission.

Who It Affects
Aerospace industry stakeholders and Alabama universities/research institutions: would participate in the authority, benefit from promoted education, research collaboration, events, and potential funding and facilities development.
Residents and local communities in Alabama: could be affected by spaceport-related land use, infrastructure needs (roads, communications, internet), tourism, and potential economic development from space activities.

Key Provisions
Section 1 establishes the Alabama Space Authority
Section 2 defines the authority's composition, including university and state agency representatives and six industry-related members appointed by state leaders
Section 3 places the authority as an ADECA office with initial grant-funding support and later administrative support from ADECA
Section 4 outlines duties to promote aerospace education, space exploration, conferences, venture-capital leveraging, business initiatives, infrastructure and test facilities, a feasibility study for a federally licensed spaceport, land acquisition/management for space activities, and collaboration with tourism and education groups
Section 5 grants the authority powers to acquire and hold property, exercise state-like property rights, and lease facilities with rents
Section 6 clarifies municipalities can still develop aerospace infrastructure; Section 7 preserves that only the authority holds its enumerated powers
Section 8 prevents dissolution while there is outstanding debt, and Section 9 sets compensation rules for members (per diem/travel reimbursement only)
Section 10 sets the act to take effect immediately after the Governor signs or it becomes law

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