HB545 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rich Wingo
Republican
Co-Sponsor: Chris England
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Tuscaloosa Co., duties and operation of Tuscaloosa Co. Road Improvement Commission, further provided for, Act No. 56, 1953 Reg. Sess., am'd.
Summary: The bill updates how Tuscaloosa County funds road improvements by defining the Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission, changing how tax proceeds are managed and distributed, and setting project priorities.
What This Bill Does
It reorganizes the management of sales and use tax proceeds in the county, establishing separate accounting for certain funds and outlining expense deductions before distributions. It creates a Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission with specific members and powers to oversee funds, prioritize road projects, and issue obligations. It sets a detailed project priority list and then directs remaining funds to major roadway projects (75%) and local road projects for the county and municipalities (25%), with provisions for long-term pledges and bonds to finance the work.

Who It Affects
Municipalities and county entities receiving tax proceeds (City of Tuscaloosa, City of Northport, Lakeview, Brookwood, Vance, Coaling, Coker, the county, hospital authority, county school system, and City of Tuscaloosa school system) — they are affected by the new distribution formulas, annual disbursement requirements, and funding for specific projects.
Commission members and local government agencies (mayors, county commission chair, West Alabama Chamber of Commerce rep, IDA director, county legislative delegation members, and the Alabama DOT) — they gain new governance roles, authority to allocate funds, and ability to enter long-term financing and binding agreements for project funding.

Key Provisions
Amends Sections 11 and 11A to specify how tax proceeds are collected, accounted for, and distributed, including separation of certain funds and payment of expenses before distributions.
Creates the Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission as a governmental body with authority to receive tax proceeds, allocate funds, and oversee road projects, while retaining immunity and property ownership rules similar to other governmental actors.
Defines Commission membership: Mayor of Tuscaloosa, Mayor of Northport, Chair of the Tuscaloosa County Commission, a West Alabama Chamber of Commerce appointee, Executive Director of the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, two members of the county’s legislative delegation (one minority), and an ex officio nonvoting Alabama DOT director.
Sets project priorities for the tax proceeds: debt service on Mitt Lary Road warrants, SR69 South, SR69 North (including Highway 43/69 intersection), MLK Boulevard/Jack Warner Parkway, McFarland Boulevard/U.S. 82, McWright’s Ferry Road, and Bear Creek Cutoff Road.
After those priorities, 75% of remaining net funds go to major roadway infrastructure projects identified by the Commission, and 25% go to the county and its municipalities for local road projects based on population.
Allows the Commission to pledge or commit future tax proceeds, bind future road boards, and issue bonds or other financing to fund the projects, with proceeds potentially pledged to other governmental bodies and creating a trust lien for assignees.

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