SB219 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shay ShelnuttSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Alabama Farm Center created, vested with powers and privileges, deemed economic development organization

Summary

SB219 creates the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation to operate the Alabama Farm Center as a state-supported economic development project with broad powers to develop, finance, and manage agricultural facilities in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation to run the Alabama Farm Center and sets up a board of directors with specified appointments and terms. It allows counties and municipalities to convey property and appropriate public funds to the corporation and provides for local tax rebates and revenue sharing related to the center. It grants the corporation wide powers to borrow money, mortgage property, form subsidiaries, enter contracts (including design-build arrangements), and develop facilities, including alcohol sales on site; it also exempts the corporation from certain taxes and municipal ordinances and designates it as an economic development organization under the Growing Alabama Act; audits are required every two years and the act takes effect immediately.

Who It Affects

• Counties and municipalities where the Alabama Farm Center is located (and their residents), who may convey property and funds to the corporation, receive sales tax rebates or participate in revenue-sharing arrangements, and whose local tax rules may be adjusted in relation to the center.
• Farmers, livestock producers, agribusinesses, and Alabama residents who participate in center-supported exhibitions, education, and workforce development, and who may be affected by alcohol sales on site and broad tax exemptions for the corporation.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation to operate the Alabama Farm Center and sets up a board of directors with specific appointment rules, initial terms, and diversity requirements; the Senate must confirm appointees.
• Authorizes counties and municipalities to convey real or personal property and to appropriate public funds to the corporation without requiring voter elections; counties can approve lease or other transfers if justified for the center's benefit.
• Permits the consumption of alcoholic beverages on the center’s premises and provides broad tax exemptions for the corporation and its property from state, county, and municipal taxes; allows local tax rebates and revenue sharing related to center activities.
• Gives the corporation extensive powers, including borrowing, mortgaging property, creating subsidiaries, entering into contracts (including design-build arrangements), and conducting financing and development for projects related to the center.
• Declares the Alabama Farm Center an economic development organization under the Growing Alabama Act.
• Requires audits every two years by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts; the act becomes effective immediately.

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