SB190 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jay HoveySenator

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

The bill renames the Lee County tourism bureau to Auburn-Opelike Tourism and reorganizes its board and operations.

What This Bill Does

Renames the bureau to Auburn-Opelike Tourism. It creates a governance board comprising county and city officials, a representative from Auburn University, the presidents of the Auburn and Opelika Chambers of Commerce, an additional board member chosen by the voting members, a member from any other Lee County municipality with lodging tax, and two non-voting members from the local tourism industry, with ex-officio roles for the Lee County Extension Agent and the chamber executive directors. All appointed members serve at the pleasure of their appointing authorities, and the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Lee County residents and the governments of Lee County, the City of Auburn, and the City of Opelika (board representation and local governance influence).
• Auburn University (an employee will serve on the board, appointed by the university president).
• Auburn and Opelika Chambers of Commerce (presidents will sit on the board; chamber executives are ex-officio members).
• Other municipalities in Lee County that collect lodging tax (mayors or designees may participate on the board).
• Local tourism industry businesses (two non-voting industry members will be appointed to the board).
• Lee County Extension Agent (ex-officio, non-voting).

Key Provisions

• The bureau is renamed Auburn-Opelike Tourism.
• The board includes: the Lee County judge of probate or chair as chair; the mayors of Auburn and Opelika (and their appointees), the Mayor of Auburn (or appointee), the Mayor of Opelika (or appointee); one Auburn University employee appointed by the university president; four board members who will select a fifth member; the Presidents of the Auburn and Opelika Chambers of Commerce (or their appointees); an additional member chosen by the other voting board members; a mayor or designee from any other Lee County municipality with lodging tax; the Lee County Extension Agent (ex-officio, non-voting); and the Executive Directors of the Auburn and Opelika Chambers (ex-officio). Two non-voting members from the local tourism industry are appointed by the voting members.
• All appointed members serve at the pleasure of their appointing authorities.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and Governor approval.

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