HB215 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris PringleRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Economic and industrial development, governing bodies of all counties and municipalities have continuing power to promote, local constitutional amendment repealed, Amendment 772 (Section 94.01, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended) am'd., const. amend.

Summary

HB 215 would amend Amendment 772 to allow counties and municipalities to continue local economic and industrial development powers and repeal pre-2004 local amendments that created such authorities.

What This Bill Does

It clarifies that local economic and industrial development authorities existing at the time Amendment 772 was ratified may continue to promote local development. It repeals numerous local amendments adopted before December 23, 2004 that authorized the creation of these authorities. It also outlines expanded local powers for counties and municipalities to acquire property, develop industrial sites, lease or sell property to businesses, lend or grant funds, and issue debt up to 50% of assessed property value, all with public approval and disclosure requirements.

Who It Affects

• Counties and municipalities in Alabama, which would have continuing and expanded power to promote economic and industrial development, including financing and property development activities.
• Existing local economic and industrial development authorities that were in place on December 23, 2004, which would be allowed to continue operating under Amendment 772.

Key Provisions

• Proposed amendment would recognize that local development authorities existing on the ratification date may continue to promote local economic and industrial development under Amendment 772.
• Repeals numerous local amendments that previously authorized the creation of local economic and industrial development authorities (the list includes amendments 84, 94, 95, 104, 128, 155, 183, 186, 188, 189, 190, 191, 197, 217, 220, 221, 244, 245, 250, 251, 256, 259, 261, 263, 277, 302, 303, 308, 312, 313, 376, 415, 429, 468, 538, 545, 563, 596, 624, 642, 646, 678, 679, 682, 701, 713, 719, 723, 725, 729, 737, 739, 748, 750, 751, 757, 759, 761).
• Allows counties/municipalities to use public funds to acquire real property and develop industrial sites, including roads, utilities, and related facilities.
• Allows leasing, selling, or conveying property or industrial park projects to businesses, under terms approved by the local governing body.
• Permits lending credit or granting funds to promote local economic and industrial development.
• Authorizes issuing bonds or other indebtedness up to 50% of the county’s or municipality’s assessed property value for financing the described activities, with bonds potentially secured by full faith and credit or limited as to payment source.
• Bonds and related obligations issued under this amendment are not considered general indebtedness for borrowing capacity purposes and include specific bond language validating their purpose.
• Requires public approval for actions that involve public funds or credit to private entities, including a public meeting and publication of a detailed notice at least seven days before the meeting, describing benefits and recipients.

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

Subjects

Economic and Industrial Development