SB317 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Governor's Mansion Authority, Secs. 41-9-541, 41-9-542, 41-9-544, 41-9-545 am'd.

Summary

The bill creates a Governor's Mansion Authority to preserve, operate, and fund the Governor's Mansion Complex, including the Hill House, and sets its governance, funding, and activities.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Governor's Mansion Authority to preserve and maintain the Mansion Complex and provide housing for the Governor and family. The authority is governed by a broad board of state officials, preservation groups, educators, and two Governor-appointed members, with the Governor or spouse also serving as a member. It can raise and spend money, hire staff, enter contracts, accept gifts and grants, and may charge fees for services like transportation and parking. It must keep accounts, maintain inventories, and place funds in the Governor's Mansion Preservation Fund in the State Treasury for approved purposes.

Who It Affects

• Governor of Alabama and the Governor's family will have housing and security within the Governor's Mansion Complex.
• Alabama residents and visitors will benefit from a preserved historic site with public access, tours, visitor services, parking, and educational materials, with some services potentially funded by fees or donations.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Governor's Mansion Authority to preserve, operate, and maintain the Governor's Mansion, the Hill House, and adjacent properties within the Governor's Mansion Complex.
• Defines the Mansion Complex boundaries (north Cromwell Street, east South Perry Street, south Finley Avenue, west South Court Street).
• Pursues preservation of historical and architectural integrity and supports official ceremonies and the Governor's housing needs within the complex.
• Assembles a diverse governing board including state agency heads, preservation and education groups, and two Governor-appointed members, with the Governor or the Governor's spouse also serving as a member.
• Governing body elects a chair, vice chair, and secretary annually for two-year terms; meetings can be held with remote participation; members serve without compensation.
• Creates an executive committee of three Governor-appointed members authorized to act for the authority and required to report annually.
• Authority can solicit and accept appropriations, gifts, loans, and grants; title to gifts belongs to the authority and funds must be used for the specified purposes.
• Authority can hire staff, contractors, and consultants and fix their compensation as needed.
• Authority can spend funds, enter into contracts, and cooperate with civic, nonprofit, and government partners for operations, including transportation of visitors between sites and charging related fees.
• Authority can construct and operate a visitor center and parking, and may set and collect parking fees; can purchase, produce, sell, and distribute historical souvenirs; publish promotional and educational materials.

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

Subjects

Governor