HB520 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gil Isbell
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Etowah County, Mega Sports Complex Authority, membership, distribution, treatment of debt, and rountine audits provided further, Secs. 45-28-220.03, 45-28-243.02 am'd.
Summary: HB520 changes the structure, funding, debt treatment, and oversight of the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex Authority.
What This Bill Does
The bill changes who serves on the authority, sets term lengths, meeting rules, and attendance/removal standards. It directs certain in-lieu-of-taxes and tourism/recreation tax revenues to the authority to finance a mega sports complex, with debt repayment prioritized before other uses and post-debt revenues controlled by unanimous legislative consent. It authorizes the authority to acquire property, enter contracts, hire staff, appoint committees, and oversee development of the complex. It requires a comprehensive financial audit by a CPA chosen from Rainbow City nominees, with reports sent to the state Chief Examiner and appointing authorities.

Who It Affects
Etowah County residents and taxpayers, whose funds may be used to finance a mega sports complex and who are governed by how tax revenues are allocated.
Local government entities and organizations (the Etowah County Tourism Board, Etowah County Chamber of Commerce, City of Rainbow City, City of Sardis, and the local legislative delegation) through changes in membership, oversight, tax revenue distribution, and audit requirements.

Key Provisions
Replaces and defines new membership for the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex Authority, including legislative sponsor, district-appointed members, Tourism Board director, and Chamber of Commerce appointees; staggered initial terms and four-year terms for non-ex officio members.
Authorizes the authority to acquire/lease property, enter contracts, hire staff, appoint committees, accept donations, and manage a public mega sports complex.
Directs TVA in-lieu-of-taxes and certain tourism/recreation tax revenues to be distributed to the authority for financing and operation; after all debts as of the act’s effective date are paid, revenues are held in county treasury and used only with unanimous consent of the legislative delegation.
Requires quarterly meetings, public posting of minutes within 30 days, and removal for attendance failures; prohibits most members from serving on the Tourism Board.
Mandates a comprehensive financial audit by a licensed CPA chosen from Rainbow City nominees, with copies submitted to the Chief Examiner and appointing authorities.
Effective date: October 1, 2022.

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