HB479 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Lynn Greer
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Colbert and Lauderdale Counties, Shoals Economic Development Fund, distrib. of funds to Lauderdale Co. Commission for Workforce Training and Development Center, Sec. 45-17-91.23 am'd.
Summary: HB479 changes the Shoals Economic Development Fund to allow up to $5 million to be used for a Lauderdale County Workforce Training Center and up to $5 million for University of North Alabama workforce programs, with matching and site details to be determined.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes an equal match up to $5 million to be expended to the Lauderdale County Commission to construct a Workforce Training and Development Center on Lauderdale County property (site to be determined). It also authorizes an equal match up to $5 million for workforce training and economic development programs at the University of North Alabama. The bill maintains a cap that no more than 10% of the fund’s annual proceeds may be used for these purposes, and it specifies the fund’s general purpose of promoting economic development and job creation. The act becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects
Lauderdale County Commission and Lauderdale County residents, who would benefit from a new Workforce Training and Development Center funded by the Shoals Economic Development Fund and whose property would host the center (site to be determined).
University of North Alabama (UNA) and its workforce training programs, which would receive up to $5 million in funding as part of the equal-match provision.

Key Provisions
(c)(7) Expenditure of an equal match up to $5,000,000 to the Lauderdale County Commission for the construction of a Workforce Training and Development Center on Lauderdale County property; the site will be determined.
(c)(8) Expenditure of an equal match up to $5,000,000 for workforce training and economic development programs at the University of North Alabama.
No more than 10% of the proceeds of the county sales and use taxes deposited into the Shoals Economic Development Fund in a calendar year may be expended for these purposes.
The act becomes effective immediately after its passage and approval by the Governor.
The fund’s broader purpose remains to promote economic development and non-retail job creation in the Shoals area and to support related enterprises and activities as authorized by the subpart.

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