The bill SB194 amends Section 11-20-73 of the Code of Alabama 1975, granting agriculture authorities the new power to terminate or relocate an easement on property owned by the authority using the same power of eminent domain as the state. This addition is intended to enhance the operational capabilities of agriculture authorities, enabling them to manage their properties more effectively to support agricultural development. The bill also allows these authorities to purchase or otherwise obtain any item on the statewide public contract list compiled by the Chief Procurement Officer, while ensuring that all contracts executed by the authority are authorized or ratified by the board. In addition to these new provisions, the bill retains existing powers of agriculture authorities, such as acquiring property and entering into contracts for development projects. It also introduces tax exemptions for agriculture authorities, including exemptions from state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes, as well as ad valorem taxes. The bill mandates that any sales tax proceeds collected by the authority or its contractors be rebated back to the authority, with an option for county commissions to opt-out for private entities after a specified date. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 11-20-73