SB329 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

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

SB329 creates and funds the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex Authority, updates its membership and governance, redirects certain tax revenues to the Authority, and requires routine audits.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex Authority and defines who can serve on it, including political and local business representatives, with staggered term dates. It authorizes the Authority to develop and manage a public mega sports complex, including acquiring land, entering contracts, hiring staff, and accepting donations. It directs certain tax revenues and TVA in-lieu-of-taxes to the Authority for financing and operating the complex, prioritizes debt payments from additional funds, and requires regular, publicly posted financial audits by a CPA chosen from Rainbow City nominees. It also modifies how tourism and related tax proceeds are distributed, giving the Authority new access to those funds after debts are paid, with future uses subject to unanimous consent of the legislative delegation.

Who It Affects

• Etowah County residents and taxpayers, who may see funding redirected toward a potential mega sports complex and will be affected by debt-repayment rules and revenue decisions surrounding the project.
• The City of Sardis and other local governments receiving tourism/tax revenues, whose previously allocated funds could be redirected to the Authority and governed by its decisions, with future revenue use requiring legislative delegation consent.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex Authority and specifies its initial and continuing membership, including appointments by the local delegation, the Director of the Etowah County Tourism Board, and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Rainbow City.
• Allows the Authority to appoint additional members, set four-year terms after initial terms, require quarterly meetings, and post meeting minutes publicly; provides removal rules for nonattendance and vacancy procedures.
• Prohibits most Authority members from serving on the Etowah County Tourism Board, with limited exception for the Tourism Board Director.
• Empowers the Authority to evaluate and eventually develop and manage a public mega sports complex, including feasibility, components, location, cost, and funding sources.
• Grants powers to acquire/lease property, enter contracts, hire staff, accept donations, and perform related functions for the complex.
• Directs TVA in-lieu-of-taxes payments that would otherwise go to Sardis to be distributed to the Authority for financing and operation of the complex.
• Requires additional state/county tax revenues to be used first to pay existing debts; after debts are paid, revenues go to county treasury until a unanimous decision by the legislative delegation directs other use.
• Mandates a comprehensive financial audit by a licensed CPA after the act’s effective date, annually for two years, then every two years, with the auditor chosen from firms nominated by Rainbow City; copies of audits to be provided to the Chief Examiner and appointing authorities within 30 days.
• Amends 45-28-243.02 to redirect certain tourism/recreation/conventions tax proceeds to the Authority and to hold revenues in the county treasury after debts are paid, subject to later unanimous legislative consent.
• 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