House Bill 648 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Adline ClarkeRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Tourism; creates a grant program for boosting state tourism economies affected by global trade disruptions and foreign travel slowdowns; creates a competitive grant program to fund tourism-related infrastructure projects; creates international and domestic marketing campaigns; establishes the Tourism Sector Economic Monitoring Council

Summary

HB648 would create a Tourism Revenue Recovery and Global Promotion Act to help Alabama's tourism sector recover and expand through grants, marketing campaigns, infrastructure funding, and a new monitoring council.

What This Bill Does

It creates a grant program for eligible tourism businesses hurt by global travel disruptions, administered by the Alabama Tourism Department, with allowed uses including retaining staff, updating facilities, and marketing or operational continuity; no single entity can receive more than $100,000. It sets up international tourism marketing campaigns to expand Alabama's brand in new markets, restore inbound travel from countries affected by trade tensions, and partner with airlines, travel platforms, and influencers, with campaigns coordinated with destination marketing organizations. It creates a competitive grant program to fund tourism-related infrastructure projects such as parks, visitor centers, signage, and trade shows, and it also funds a domestic advertising effort promoting in-state tourism and events through TV, digital, print, and social channels. It creates the Tourism Sector Economic Monitoring Council with five members appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders; the council will monitor trends, analyze risks, advise on adaptive strategies, and publish an annual tourism impact report; funding can come from multiple lawful sources and the act takes effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Eligible tourism businesses (lodging, travel, entertainment, attractions, and hospitality services) that have been affected by disruptions would be eligible for grants up to $100,000 per entity
• The Alabama Tourism Department and destination marketing organizations, along with airlines, travel platforms, and influencers, would administer and coordinate international marketing campaigns and infrastructure funding
• Tourists and visitors could experience increased travel activity due to expanded marketing and improved infrastructure, indirectly benefiting the state economy
• Local communities with parks, trails, visitor centers, cultural landmarks, and event venues would benefit from infrastructure grants for improvements and renovations

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Tourism Revenue Recovery and Global Promotion Act to support recovery and expansion of Alabama's tourism industry.
• Creates a grant program for eligible tourism businesses harmed by disruptions; grants may be used to retain staff, update facilities/safety protocols, or support marketing/operational continuity; cap of $100,000 per entity.
• Creates international tourism marketing campaigns to expand brand in emerging markets, restore inbound travel from countries affected by trade tensions, and partner with airlines, travel platforms, and influencers; campaigns data-driven and coordinated with destination marketing organizations.
• Creates a competitive grant program to fund tourism-related infrastructure projects; eligible uses include improvements to parks, trails, cultural landmarks, visitor centers, signage, mobility, and international/domestic trade shows and tour operators.
• Coordinates a domestic advertising effort to promote in-state tourism, heritage/outdoor recreation/culinary experiences, events in downturn regions, and travel trade shows/touroperators; campaigns use TV, digital, print, and social channels.
• Establishes the Tourism Sector Economic Monitoring Council with five members appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders; four-year terms with possible one renewal; no compensation but per diem; duties include monitoring trends, analyzing risks, advising on adaptive strategies, and publishing an annual tourism impact report.
• Funding may come from revenue sources directed by the Legislature, appropriations, and other lawful sources including private funding, gifts, donations, and bequests.
• Effective date is October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 31, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Economic Development