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HB523 INTRODUCED
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HB523
U9V67XG-1
By Representatives Jackson, Lawrence, Warren, Hall, Travis,
Daniels, Lands, McCampbell
RFD: Ways and Means General Fund
First Read: 26-Feb-26
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U9V67XG-1 02/20/2026 ZAK (L)ma 2026-954
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First Read: 26-Feb-26
SYNOPSIS:
This bill would authorize the Commissioner of
Agriculture and Industries to establish the Alabama
Agricultural Enhancement Program to provide cost share
funds to agricultural producers to make investments in
certain agriculture sectors in their businesses.
This bill would require the commissioner to
provide a report to the Governor and Legislature
detailing progress and needs in establishing the
program.
This bill would establish the Alabama
Agricultural Enhancement Advisory Board to advise the
commissioner on the program.
This bill would establish certain agriculture
sectors to be included in the program for which funds
may be awarded and establish criteria for applicants to
be eligible to receive these funds.
This bill would create the Alabama Agricultural
Enhancement Fund in the State Treasury to be used by
the commissioner to administer the program.
This bill would also authorize the Department of
Agriculture and Industries to adopt rules to administer
the program.
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A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to agriculture investment; to authorize the
Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries to establish the
Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Program to provide funds to
agricultural producers for certain agriculture sectors; to
require the commissioner to report on the program's progress
and needs and establish agriculture sectors for investment and
eligibility criteria for applicants; to create the Alabama
Agricultural Enhancement Advisory Board to advise on the
program; to create the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Fund
from which the commissioner shall administer the program; and
to authorize the Department of Agriculture and Industries to
adopt rules to administer the program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as
the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Program Act.
Section 2. For the purposes of this act, the following
terms have the following meanings:
(1) BOARD. The Alabama Agricultural Enhancement
Advisory Board.
(2) COMMISSIONER. The Commissioner of Agriculture and
Industries.
(3) PROGRAM. The Alabama Agricultural Enhancement
Program.
Section 3. (a) The Commissioner of Agriculture and
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Section 3. (a) The Commissioner of Agriculture and
Industries may establish the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement
Program to provide cost share funds to agricultural producers
to make long-term investments in farms and rural communities.
(b) Not later than September 30, 2027, the commissioner
shall deliver a report to the Governor, the President Pro
Tempore of the Senate, the Senate Minority Leader, the Speaker
of the House of Representatives, and the House Minority Leader
detailing the progress made toward establishing the program
and any operational or financial needs, including, but not
limited to, any legislative action, appropriation, or other
resource necessary to establish and implement the program.
Section 4. The Alabama Agricultural Enhancement
Advisory Board is established to advise and provide
recommendations to the commissioner regarding the program. The
advisory board shall consist of the following members:
(1) The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, or
his or her designee, who shall serve as chair.
(2) The Dean of the Auburn University College of
Agriculture, or his or her designee.
(3) The Dean of the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical
University College of Agricultural, Life, and Natural
Sciences, or his or her designee.
(4) The Dean of the Tuskegee University College of
Agriculture, Environment, and Nutrition Sciences, or his or
her designee.
(5) The Chair of the State Soil and Water Conservation
Committee, or his or her designee.
Section 5. (a) The commissioner, with input from the
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Section 5. (a) The commissioner, with input from the
board, shall identify agriculture sectors for which the
program shall provide funds, and may periodically modify these
sectors to best meet the needs of the state's farms and rural
communities. The agriculture sectors for investment shall
include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) Dairy.
(2) Genetics.
(3) Hay Storage.
(4) Herd health.
(5) Livestock equipment.
(6) Livestock solutions.
(7) Aquaculture.
(8) Poultry growers.
(9) Row crop solutions.
(10) Swine producers.
(11) Working structures and fence-line systems.
(12) Agritourism.
(13) Producer diversification.
(b) The commissioner, in consultation with the board,
shall identify and may periodically modify the equipment and
structures that are eligible for purchase with program funds.
(c) The commissioner shall adopt reasonable criteria
that an applicant shall satisfy to be eligible to receive
program funds, including requiring an applicant to:
(1) Complete an educational program or certification
demonstrating substantial knowledge in the agriculture sector
for which the applicant seeks funds;
(2) Provide taxpayer identification information;
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(2) Provide taxpayer identification information;
(3) Provide proof of residency in the state;
(4) Clearly state the intended purpose of the purchased
equipment or structure;
(5) Attest that the applicant shall use the equipment
or structure purchased using program funds for the equipment's
or structure's intended purpose for not less than five years
following purchase; and
(6) Grant the Department of Agriculture and Industries
permission to inspect any equipment or structure purchased
using program funds to verify compliance with subdivision (5).
(d) Any person who knowingly provides a false or
misleading statement or information to the Department of
Agriculture and Industries in applying for funds pursuant to
this act may not receive any funds from or otherwise
participate in the program.
Section 6. (a) The Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Fund
is established in the State Treasury from which the
commissioner shall administer the program . The fund shall
consist of any monies appropriated by the Legislature and any
voluntary contributions, gifts, and grants.
(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed
only upon warrants of the Comptroller drawn upon the State
Treasury on itemized vouchers approved by the commissioner. No
monies shall be withdrawn or expended except as budgeted and
allocated according to Article 4 of Chapter 4 and Chapter 19
of Title 41, Code of Alabama 1975, and only in amounts as
stipulated in the general appropriations act, other
appropriations acts, or this section. At the end of each
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appropriations acts, or this section. At the end of each
fiscal year, any unencumbered balance shall not revert to the
State General Fund under Section 41-4-93, Code of Alabama
1975.
Section 7. The Department of Agriculture and Industries
may adopt rules to administer this act.
Section 8. This act shall become effective on February
1, 2027.
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