SB275 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tim MelsonSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Counties, agriculture authorities, authorized to establish and promote agriculture businesses, economic development, and other purposes, power further specified to develop commercial facilities and use revenue for authority's mission
Summary: SB275 lets counties’ agriculture authorities build and run commercial facilities and use the profits to fund their agricultural and economic development mission.
What This Bill Does
The bill specifies that an agriculture authority may develop commercial facilities and use the revenue from operating those facilities to support its mission. It expands the authority’s powers to plan, construct, own, lease, finance, and operate centers and related facilities within the county, and to form subsidiaries, invest funds, and partner with public or private entities to promote agricultural and workforce development. It also clarifies financing tools like bonds and mortgages and broadens contract and procurement options to carry out projects, all within the county boundaries and subject to county approval and incorporation rules.

Who It Affects
Counties and their agriculture authorities: gain explicit authority to develop commercial facilities and use revenue to fund their mission, plus expanded financing, development, and partnership powers.
Private developers, businesses, and residents within the county: may participate in, benefit from, or be affected by new projects, contracts, incentives, and financing arrangements connected to the authority’s activities (e.g., locating projects, leases, and partnerships).

Key Provisions
Provision 1: Amends §11-20-70 to authorize an agriculture authority to develop commercial facilities and use the revenue from operating those facilities to support the authority's mission, within the county.
Provision 2: Expands §11-20-73 to enumerate broad powers for the authority, including planning and constructing agriculture centers, acquiring property, entering into loans and financing agreements, issuing bonds, mortgaging property, forming subsidiaries or affiliates, and entering design-build and other development contracts.
Provision 3: Allows the authority to invest funds, accept gifts or grants, and enter into various contracts and agreements to carry out its purposes, including public-private partnerships and revenue-generating projects.
Provision 4: Sets formation and governance framework (county approval, articles of incorporation, county boundaries) and states the act becomes effective June 1, 2024.

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