HB4 Alabama 2021 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve ClouseRepresentative

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2021

Title

Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority, issuance of bonds for the finance, construction, and renovation of prisons, provided; membership of authority, further provided; phased approach to the construction of new prisons and the renovation or closure of old prisons, provided; Correctional Facilities Maintenance Fund and Department of Corrections - Correctional Capital Improvement Fund, created; Alabama Prison Repurposing Commission, required to study economic impact of any closure or possible repurposing of prison facility. Secs. 14-2-1, 14-2-6, 14-2-12, 14-2-13.1, 14-2-14, 14-2-16, 14-2-19, 14-2-21, 14-2-28, and 14-2-34, am'd.

Summary

HB4 would let Alabama borrow up to $785 million to modernize prisons in a phased plan, building new facilities, renovating existing ones, and closing or repurposing old prisons over time.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority to issue up to $785 million in bonds to fund a phased prison modernization plan, including new facilities and renovations. The plan calls for a 4,000-bed specialized men's prison in Elmore County, a new male prison in Escambia County, and a new women's prison in Elmore County, along with renovations of existing state prisons to be selected by the authority, with some facilities slated for closure as bed space is replaced. It creates two funds to manage construction and maintenance, revises authority membership, requires reporting to the Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee, and emphasizes transparency in costs and minority business participation. It also provides mechanisms to sell or lease unused property, manage repurposing of facilities (including Bibb) through study by the Alabama Prison Repurposing Commission, and requires certain disclosures from bidders and contractors.

Who It Affects

• Prison inmates and Department of Corrections staff who would experience new or renovated facilities, potential relocations, and changes in health care, education, and programs as facilities are closed or repurposed.
• Alabama taxpayers and private sector businesses (especially minority-owned firms) who would be affected by state debt for bonds, construction contracts, reporting requirements, and targeted minority participation provisions.

Key Provisions

• Authority to issue bonds up to $785 million for a phased prison modernization plan.
• Construction of the specialized men's prison facility (4,000 beds) in Elmore County, the Escambia men's prison facility, and a women's prison facility in Elmore County.
• Renovation and improvement of existing state-owned prisons in selected counties and another facility to be chosen by the authority.
• Creation of the Correctional Capital Improvement Fund and the Correctional Facilities Maintenance Fund to handle construction and ongoing maintenance.
• Phased approach: Phase 1 immediate projects; Phase 2 additional facilities (including a women's facility and renovations in Jefferson/Limestone) and Phase 3 evaluation of further bed needs and Bibb Facility repurposing.
• Closure plan: close Hamilton Aged and Infirmed Center, Staton, Elmore, and Kilby within one year of Phase 1 completion; St. Clair to be closed next, subject to planning.
• Bond issuance and administration rules, including reporting to the Legislature within 30 days of bond issuance and provisions for debt service and issuance costs.
• Procurement provisions: design-build options, guaranteed maximum price, open competition, and transparency requirements; prioritized use of competitive bids where feasible.
• Encouragement and plan for minority business participation with quarterly reporting to state officials.
• Sale or lease of unused authority or department properties, with proceeds going to the Correctional Facilities Maintenance Fund; department to maintain properties until disposition.
• Perry County prison facility lease or purchase under commercially reasonable terms.
• Proposer disclosure requirements, including lobbyists and connections to elected officials after December 6, 2019.
• Economic impact and repurposing study required before facility closures; Alabama Prison Repurposing Commission to satisfy this requirement.
• Dissolution: once all bonds and obligations are paid, assets may be conveyed to the state and the authority dissolved.

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

Subjects

Prisons and Prisoners