HB268 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe LovvornRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to Lee County; to amend Section 45-41-242.06, Code of Alabama 1975, to change the name of the Auburn-Opelika Convention and Visitors Bureau to Auburn-Opelike Tourism; and to further provide for the membership and operation of Auburn-Opelika Tourism.

Summary

HB268 renames the Auburn-Opelika Convention and Visitors Bureau to Auburn-Opelike Tourism and reorganizes its board and operations.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the Lee County tourism bureau will be named Auburn-Opelike Tourism. The bureau’s board will include multiple categories of members from county government, the cities of Auburn and Opelika, Auburn University, and the local chambers of commerce, plus additional appointed and non-voting members from the local tourism industry and other municipalities with lodging taxes. Some members are ex-officio (non-voting) or serve at the pleasure of their appointing authorities, and the board can add a fifth member by the vote of the voting members. The Executive Directors of the Auburn and Opelika Chambers of Commerce and the Lee County Extension Agent will also participate in an ex-officio capacity. The act specifies an effective date based on timing after passage.

Who It Affects

• Lee County average residents and taxpayers (through the county government relationship with the bureau and lodging tax considerations).
• The City of Auburn and the City of Opelika (mayors or their appointees will participate on the board).
• Auburn University (an employee appointed by the university President will serve on the board).
• The Auburn and Opelika Chambers of Commerce (their presidents or appointees will participate; executive directors are ex-officio members).
• Other municipalities in Lee County that have lodging tax obligations (mayors or designees participate on the board).
• The local tourism industry (two non-voting members appointed from the industry).
• Lee County Extension Agent (ex-officio non-voting member).

Key Provisions

• The bureau is renamed to Auburn-Opelike Tourism (also referred to as Auburn-Opelika Tourism).
• The bureau’s governing body is defined with multiple member categories, including county government, city mayors, Auburn University, Chambers of Commerce, and other municipalities with lodging taxes.
• The President of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and the President of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, or their appointees, are part of the board; the board may also include an additional member chosen by the voting members and an extra member selected by the other voting members.
• An ex-officio, non-voting Lee County Extension Agent will participate, and the executive directors of both Chambers of Commerce will serve as ex-officio members.
• Two non-voting members from the local tourism industry will be appointed by the voting members.
• Each appointed board member serves at the pleasure of their appointing authority.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage.

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