HB620 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Steve McMillan
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Baldwin Co., toll road and bridge authority, authorized to be estab. by local law, project from end of Beach Express to U.S. I-65, bonds, tolls, const. amend.
Summary: Proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Baldwin County to form a toll road and bridge authority to extend the Baldwin Beach Express to I-65, issue revenue bonds, and collect tolls to pay for the project.
What This Bill Does
Authorizes a local law to create a toll road and bridge authority in Baldwin County as a public corporation with the power to acquire property, design, construct, operate, regulate, improve, repair, and maintain a toll road and bridge project extending to I-65. Allows the authority to issue revenue bonds secured by tolls and other project revenues, and to set tolls, fees, and charges; toll proceeds would be used to repay the bonds. Keeps the project entirely within Baldwin County, and allows tolls to be temporarily suspended during emergencies for public safety and orderly evacuation. Makes design-build and related contracting approaches possible for the project, and clarifies that bonds and related obligations are not counted as state or county debt and may be issued without a public vote.

Who It Affects
Baldwin County residents and travelers who would use the toll road and pay tolls.
State and local government entities and taxpayers, because the project would be funded by revenue bonds backed by tolls and would not count as state or county debt; bonds could be issued without a public vote.

Key Provisions
Enables the Legislature, by local law, to create a toll road and bridge authority in Baldwin County and define its powers and duration.
Grants authority to acquire property, design, construct, regulate, operate, and maintain the project, and to lease it to public or private entities.
authorizes the issuance of revenue bonds payable from tolls and other project revenues, with tolls set and collected by the authority to repay those bonds.
Limits the project to within Baldwin County and restricts toll collection to the project, not other county roads.
Provides that bonds and related obligations are not debts of the state or county and may be issued without a public referendum; allows design-build-type contracting; tolls may be temporarily suspended during county emergencies.

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