HB284 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe LovvornRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to surplus state property; to authorize the State Forester to sell surplus personal property owned by the Alabama Forestry Commission.

Summary

HB284 lets the State Forester sell the Alabama Forestry Commission's surplus property directly, instead of ADECA handling it, through auctions or negotiated sales.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the State Forester to dispose of surplus vehicles, equipment, and other personal property owned by the Alabama Forestry Commission. Sales can be by public auction or negotiated sale to other state departments or subdivisions, with required advertising and a posting of details on the Forestry Commission's website. Bids are public, payment must be made at bid acceptance using specified methods, and possession must occur within seven days unless a written extension is arranged. Proceeds go to the Alabama Forestry Commission Fund, violations can trigger liquidated damages recoverable by the state, and the act becomes effective after governor approval with the Commission allowed to adopt implementing rules.

Who It Affects

• Alabama Forestry Commission: gains direct authority and responsibility to sell its own surplus personal property and must follow the new sale procedures, advertising, and record-keeping.
• Bidders and other state entities/participating political subdivisions: interact with the new sale process (auction or negotiated sale), must follow advertising, bidding, payment, and possession rules, and are subject to penalties and public-record requirements.

Key Provisions

• State Forester is authorized to sell surplus personal property owned by the Alabama Forestry Commission (vehicles, equipment, and other items).
• Sales may be conducted via public auction or negotiated sale to any other state department, agency, or political subdivision.
• Public auctions must be advertised for at least two consecutive weeks and listed on the Alabama Forestry Commission website for at least two weeks; property must be inspectable 48 hours before sale.
• Bids are public; payment must be made at bid acceptance by cashier's check, bank draft, certified check, U.S. currency, or notarized bank letter with a maximum amount stated; possession within seven days unless extended in writing.
• If a successful bidder fails to pay, they may be barred from bidding for 12 months at Forestry Commission sales.
• Sales proceeds go to the Alabama Forestry Commission Fund in the State Treasury for use by the Commission; violations can result in liquidated damages of $1,000 to $10,000 recoverable by the Attorney General into the State General Fund.
• No state official or employee shall act as an agent for bidders, though they may bid themselves; the act allows the Commission to adopt necessary rules to implement these provisions.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Alabama Forestry Commission, to provide for disposition of surplus property