HB448 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Adline ClarkeRepresentative
Democrat
Co-Sponsors: Napoleon Bracy Chip Brown Barbara Drummond Victor Gaston Sam Jones Chris Pringle Matt Simpson Shane Stringer Margie Wilcox
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Class 2 municipalities, Africatown Redevlopment Corp., established, board of directors, powers, duties of corp.
Summary: HB448 creates the Africatown Redevelopment Corporation to revitalize housing, preserve history, and boost business in the Africatown Historic District, with a specially appointed, diverse nine-member board.
What This Bill Does
It establishes the Africatown Redevelopment Corporation and defines its purpose of housing revitalization, historic preservation, and economic development. It sets up a nine-member board with specific appointment sources and terms, empowers the board to acquire property, finance and execute development projects, borrow money, and enter contracts, and provides legal and financial protections for the corporation. It also requires initial appointments within 30 days and ensures diversity in representation, and outlines tax and bidding exemptions and corporate immunity for board members.

Who It Affects
Residents of the Africatown Historic District, who gain board representation and potential benefits from redevelopment and preservation efforts.
The Class 2 municipality (city) and County and State lawmakers, who appoint board members and oversee the project.
The Clotilda Descendants' Association and the Africatown Heritage Preservation Foundation, which appoint residents to the board.
Property owners, developers, lenders, and other partners who may participate in financing, purchasing, leasing, or managing assets through the corporation.
Taxpayers and public entities, who are affected by the corporation's tax and bidding exemptions and its independence from state debt.

Key Provisions
Creation of the Africatown Redevelopment Corporation to revitalize housing, preserve history, and attract development in the Africatown Historic District.
Board composition: nine members appointed by the city council, the mayor, the county commissioner, the state House member, the state Senator, the Clotilda Descendants' Association, and the Africatown Heritage Preservation Foundation, with two city appointments and one appointment from each other category.
Initial appointments due within 30 days, with requirements to reflect racial, gender, geographic, and economic diversity in the district.
Terms: most members serve two-year terms; certain appointed members have specified initial terms of two years or one year as detailed in the act.
The board acts as incorporators to file the certificate of incorporation for the corporation, including required information such as name, district, principal office, and that it is organized under this act.
Powers: the corporation can acquire property, finance and construct projects, borrow money, issue bonds, mortgage or pledge property, enter contracts, and accept gifts to carry out its purposes.
Legal protections and exemptions: the state or local governments are not liable for the corporation's bonds or obligations; the corporation and its property income are exempt from state taxes; the corporation is exempt from competitive bidding requirements.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Mobile County