SB27 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to agriculture authorities; to amend Section 11-20-71, Code of Alabama 1975, to authorize the board of directors of an authority to appoint former members of the board as directors emeritus to serve as goodwill ambassadors of the board; and to amend Section 11-20-80, Code of Alabama 1975, to exempt certain agricultural authorities from municipal ordinances or regulations without the consent of the authority.

Summary

SB27 allows county agriculture authorities to appoint former board members as nonvoting director emeritus goodwill ambassadors and exempts authority property from municipal zoning and planning rules without the authority's consent.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets the authority board appoint former directors as emeritus, who will not vote or be paid but can attend events as goodwill ambassadors and perform duties when asked. It also exempts agriculture authorities and property they own from municipal planning and zoning rules unless the authority consents to apply them. Additionally, it broadens the authority's powers to plan, finance, build, own, and operate agriculture centers and related facilities, including creating subsidiaries, entering into contracts and partnerships, borrowing money, and investing funds. Authorities incorporated before the act would remain exempt from municipal rules unless the board consents to application.

Who It Affects

• County agriculture authorities and their boards, which gain a new nonvoting emeritus director role and expanded powers to plan, finance, construct, own, and operate agriculture centers and related facilities.
• Municipalities and local planning/zoning authorities, whose oversight over authority property would be limited by the new zoning and planning exemptions.
• Former agriculture authority board members, who may become emeritus directors with ceremonial duties but no pay or voting rights and may serve as goodwill ambassadors.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the board of an agriculture authority to appoint former board members as directors emeritus; emeriti have no voting rights and no compensation but may attend events and perform duties as goodwill ambassadors.
• Amends 11-20-80 to exempt agriculture authorities and property they own from municipal planning boards and zoning laws; the exemption does not apply to private entities where the authority has no ownership; authorities incorporated before the act are exempt unless the board consents to application of the ordinance or regulation.
• Expands the authority's powers under 11-20-73 to include planning, constructing, owning, and operating agriculture centers and related facilities; creating subsidiaries; entering into contracts, design-build arrangements, and partnerships; borrowing money and issuing bonds; acquiring property and making investments; and other activities to support purposes.
• Effective immediately upon passage and Governor's approval.

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

Subjects

Agricultural authorities, established in counties for agricultural facilities, board of directors, emeritus member provided for.