House Bill 523 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thomas JacksonRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Agriculture investment; program providing producers funds for business investments by agriculture commissioner established

Summary

HB523 would create the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Program to provide cost-share funds to farmers for investments in specified sectors, supported by a dedicated state fund and overseen by an advisory board.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries to establish a program that funds long-term investments on farms and in rural communities. It creates the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Fund in the State Treasury to hold and disburse money for the program. It establishes the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Advisory Board to advise on sector choices, eligibility, and rules. It defines eligible sectors and purchase items, outlines applicant requirements (education, residency, tax ID, stated purpose, and a five-year use requirement), and requires reporting to the Governor and Legislature by September 30, 2027. The Department of Agriculture and Industries may adopt rules to implement the program, and the act becomes effective February 1, 2027.

Who It Affects

• Agricultural producers in Alabama (across defined sectors) who may apply for cost-share funds to buy equipment or structures and must meet eligibility rules.
• State administration and oversight entities (Department of Agriculture and Industries, the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Fund, and the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Advisory Board with representatives from public universities and a conservation chair) that will implement, fund, advise on, and report about the program.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Program to provide cost-share funds for long-term farm investments in specified sectors.
• Establishes the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Fund in the State Treasury to hold and disburse program funds; funds come from appropriations and gifts, disbursed by the Comptroller on vouchers approved by the commissioner.
• Forms the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Advisory Board with specific members (state Commissioner as chair, university deans, and the State Soil and Water Conservation Chair).
• Identifies eligible sectors for investment (dairy, genetics, hay storage, herd health, livestock equipment and solutions, aquaculture, poultry, row crop solutions, swine, working structures and fence-line systems, agritourism, producer diversification) and allows updates.
• Sets eligibility criteria for applicants (education/certification, tax ID, residency in Alabama, stated purpose, five-year use requirement, and DA&I inspection rights).
• Requires the Commissioner to report progress and needs related to establishing the program to the Governor and Legislature by September 30, 2027.
• Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Industries to adopt rules to administer the program.
• The act becomes effective February 1, 2027.

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

Subjects

Agriculture & Forestry