HB159 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe LovvornRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, renamed the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission, participation of other public and private partners in providing facilities authorized; Governor to serve as ex officio nonvoting member; funds kept outside of State Treasury

Summary

HB159 renames the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission, expands facility partnerships and financing options, moves its funds outside the State Treasury, and renames the related financing authority while adding governance and inventory changes.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes the name of the commission to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission and provides a transition period for the name change and materials. It designates the Governor as an ex officio nonvoting member and sets terms for a diverse, 18‑member board with staggered four‑ and eight‑year terms. It authorizes public and private partners to provide facilities and participate in housing, displaying, and operating exhibits, and it allows the commission to operate outside the State Treasury and to pursue expansion, education programs (including US Space Camp), and partnerships with federal and private entities. It also creates a renamed financing authority to manage bonds and funding, allows gifts and property deals, and grants broad powers to borrow, lease, acquire land, build facilities, and promote the exhibits, while exempting certain historical artifacts from biannual inventory.

Who It Affects

• Public and private partners (federal, state, local, and private entities) who may provide facilities, funding, and collaboration for the U.S. Space and Rocket Center exhibits and related programs.
• Alabama residents and state finances, including the Governor, the commission's members, and state agencies, who are affected by governance changes, a new financing structure with bonds and outside‑ treasury funds, and inventory exemptions for historical artifacts.

Key Provisions

• Rename and transition: The Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission becomes the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission on Oct 1, 2025, with a transition period for the name change and rebranding; existing materials may continue to use the old name until supplies are exhausted.
• Governor as ex officio member: The Governor will serve as an ex officio nonvoting member; appointments must reflect statewide diversity in race, gender, geography, urban/rural status, and economics.
• Board structure and terms: The commission will have 18 members with terms of four and eight years initially, then eight‑year terms with a two‑term limit after Oct 1, 2025; members are unpaid and serve until successors are appointed; vacancies filled like original appointments.
• Outside treasury and bonding: The commission operates outside the State Treasury and may borrow from private sources; it can issue general obligation bonds up to $1,900,000 and revenue bonds backed by project revenues; proceeds fund construction and related facilities.
• Facilities and partnerships: The commission may acquire, construct, lease, or license lodging and related facilities near the U.S. Space and Rocket Center; may enter contracts and cooperative agreements with Army, NASA, and other partners; may lease land and grant options for facilities; may promote and manage concessions.
• Financing and revenue management: The commission can issue and manage bonds, accept gifts and donations, allocate funds from donations and revenues, and use revenues from admissions or other sources to repay bonds and sustain operations.
• Education and programs: The commission may franchise and operate the U.S. Space Camp, create new educational programs in rocketry, space, astronomy, aviation, robotics, cybersecurity, and other relevant fields; promote national and international education initiatives.
• Property and operation powers: The commission may employ a CEO and staff, set compensation, adopt rules, and perform duties to operate and manage the exhibits and related programs; may enter into leases and operate concessions to maximize service and revenue.
• Inventory and accountability: Historical artifacts in the custody of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission are exempt from the biannual inventory by the Property Inventory Control Division; property managers must maintain receipts and accountability and may be held responsible for losses.
• Renaming of financing authority: The Alabama Space Science Exhibit Finance Authority is renamed to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Finance Authority and remains eligible to file for incorporation and operate under the new name.
• Code updates and effective date: The act updates references in the Code to reflect the new name and becomes effective October 1, 2025.

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

Subjects

Authorities, Boards, & Commissions