HB417 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Danny CrawfordRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Alabama Farm Center created, vested with powers and privileges, deemed economic development organization
Summary: HB417 creates the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation to operate the Alabama Farm Center as an economic development organization with broad powers and exemptions.
What This Bill Does
The bill establishes the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation to operate the Alabama Farm Center and sets up a five-member board with appointed members. It allows the host county and municipalities to sell property and appropriate public funds to the corporation, and permits alcohol to be consumed on the center’s premises. It grants extensive powers to borrow, finance, own and develop property, form subsidiaries, enter design-build and other arrangements, and invest or partner to promote agriculture and workforce development; it also designates the center as an economic development organization under the Growing Alabama Act and includes tax exemptions and potential revenue-sharing arrangements.

Who It Affects
Residents and taxpayers of the county (and its municipalities) where the Alabama Farm Center will be located, because the bill allows conveyance of property and use of public funds to the corporation and provides sales tax exemptions and potential rebates that could impact local finances.
Farmers, agricultural businesses, and economic development partners statewide, because the center is intended to promote agriculture, education, and workforce development and can enter contracts, partnerships, and financing arrangements to support projects and investments.

Key Provisions
Creation of the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation to operate the Alabama Farm Center and promote agricultural education, industry advancement, and workforce development.
A five-member board of directors with specified appointing authorities (Governor, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, county commissioner of hosting county, and two members from the Alabama Farmers Federation) and terms designed for diverse representation.
Authority for host counties and municipalities to lease, sell, donate, or convey property to the corporation and to appropriate public funds, contingent on a determination that the action benefits local residents.
Allowance for the consumption of alcohol on the center’s premises.
Exemption of the corporation and its property from municipal ordinances and from state, county, and local taxes (with related tax exemption certificates and potential rebates for local tax proceeds).
Designation of the Alabama Farm Center as an economic development organization under the Growing Alabama Act.
Extensive powers for the corporation to borrow, mortgage, pledge, and issue bonds; to acquire and dispose of property; to create subsidiaries and affiliates; and to participate in joint ventures and various project delivery and financing arrangements.
Authority to enter into contracts, leases, and agreements, plan programs and exhibits, and engage in investments and revenue-generating activities to support center purposes.
Provisions for potential revenue sharing with local governments and opt-out options for rebates, along with rules for financing and use of tax revenues.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Agriculture & Forestry; Economic Development; Taxation & Revenue