SB305 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Community development districts, add'l type authorized, marina on lake, sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises and off-premises consumption, Secs. 35-8B-1, 35-8B-2, 35-8B-3 am'd.

Summary

SB 305 creates a new class of community development districts and allows on-site alcohol sales in some of these districts.

What This Bill Does

The bill expands the definitions of what can be a community development district (CDD) to include various new kinds of districts with amenities like golf courses, marinas, and large club facilities. It authorizes the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption within these districts, subject to Alabama ABC licensing and district board approval; in some district types, sales could occur seven days a week and may not be restricted by membership. It also changes how districts are formed and governed, sets financial and licensing procedures, and outlines how alcohol revenues interact with county taxes and TVA payments.

Who It Affects

• Residents and property owners within the newly defined or expanded community development districts, who may experience changes in district governance, amenities, and potential alcohol-related land-use rules.
• Businesses and organizations operating inside these districts (such as clubs, golf courses, marinas, and restaurants) that could obtain alcohol licenses and sell beverages for on-site consumption.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional class of community development districts and adds numerous definitions (a–m) detailing the size, location, and amenities of these districts, including golf courses, marinas, club facilities, and various combinations of residential and commercial uses.
• Authorizes the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption in certain district types, with licensing by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and approval by the district's board of control; some types permit seven-day-a-week sales and may exempt certain existing restrictions.
• In some district definitions, overrides or exempts certain alcohol-related restrictions (notably 35-8B-3) and imposes geographic or operational conditions (e.g., distance limits from highways in specific districts).
• Outlines establishment and governance procedures for a CCD (articles of establishment, probate judge filing, initial board composition, and applicable filing and ongoing fees).
• Specifies revenue-related provisions, including distributions to counties for tax and license collections and offsets for TVA in-lieu-of-taxes payments; clarifies that if a CCD becomes a wet municipality, alcohol sales extend to the full authority of wet municipalities.
• Effective date set as the first day of the third month after the bill 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

Community Development Districts