House Bill 513 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andy WhittRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Department of Commerce; Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute; references to applicable comprehensive statewide economic development strategic plan, revised; exemptions from state procurement law and contract review, provided;

Summary

HB513 moves the Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute under the Department of Commerce, updates planning references to a statewide economic development plan, and grants broad exemptions from state procurement rules and legislative contract review, with a certification requirement for building projects to align with the new plan.

What This Bill Does

It reorganizes AIDT as a division of the Department of Commerce and preserves its contracts and property. It grants exemptions so AIDT does not have to follow standard state procurement rules for supplies and services (except for public works) and reduces oversight by the Legislative Contract Review Oversight Committee, including for legal services contracts. It requires the AIDT director to certify to the Governor that any new building, renovation, or funding proposal aligns with the updated comprehensive statewide economic development strategic plan. It also keeps the director appointed by the Secretary of Commerce and subject to the AIDT Policy Manual, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• AIDT and the Department of Commerce: AIDT becomes a division of Commerce, with transferred powers, duties, and funding and must align activities with the updated statewide economic development strategic plan.
• Vendors, suppliers, and legal-service providers: They would contract with AIDT under broadened procurement exemptions and reduced oversight, including exemptions from the Legislative Contract Review Oversight Committee for most contracts.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 41-29-282 to establish AIDT as a division of the Department of Commerce and transfers powers, duties, and funds to AIDT, while preserving existing contracts.
• AIDT may enter into new contracts, agreements, and other instruments to procure goods, services, training, and related resources to carry out its purpose.
• AIDT is exempt from the state procurement law (Article 5, Chapter 4, Title 41) for procurement of supplies and services other than public works.
• AIDT is exempt from Chapter 2 of Title 29 (Permanent Legislative Committees), including the Contract Review Oversight Committee; exemptions also apply to legal services contracts.
• All existing contracts remain in effect and property remains with AIDT; for new construction, renovation, or funding, the AIDT director must certify to the Governor that the proposal aligns with the updated comprehensive statewide economic development strategic plan.
• The director remains appointed by the Secretary of Commerce and serves at the Secretary's pleasure; duties follow the AIDT Policy Manual.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 26, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

State Government