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HB549 • 2026

Constitutional Amendment; Department of Commerce; Lending authorized

Constitutional Amendment; Department of Commerce; Lending authorized

Elections
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Lawrence
Last action
2026-03-03
Official status
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date of any potential loans depends on voter approval in a future election.

HB549: Allow Low-Interest Loans for Auto Companies

This bill proposes changing the state constitution to let the Department of Commerce give low-interest loans to car makers and suppliers in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

  • Proposes adding a new section (Section 93.19) to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
  • Authorizes the Alabama Department of Commerce to provide low-interest loans.
  • Limits these loans to automotive manufacturers or suppliers operating in Alabama as part of the Automotive Supply Chain Resilience and Expansion Act.
  • Requires voters to approve the change at an election before it becomes law.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Alabama Department of Commerce
  • Automotive manufacturers operating in Alabama
  • Suppliers for automotive companies operating in Alabama

Terms To Know

Constitutional Amendment
A change to the state's main rulebook that must be approved by voters.
Low-interest loans
Money borrowed from a lender with less interest charged than usual rates.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not take effect until voters approve it in an election.
  • The text does not state how much money will be available for these loans.
  • The specific rules for applying for or repaying the loans are not listed in this document.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-03 House

    Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

  2. 2026-03-03 House

    Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on State Government

Official Summary Text

Constitutional Amendment; Department of Commerce; Lending authorized

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
HB549 INTRODUCED
Page 0
HB549
YMVW522-1
By Representatives Lawrence, Daniels, Clarke, Lands, Jones,
Forte, Hall, Warren, Datcher, Bracy, Hollis, Tillman, Moore
(M), McClammy, Hendrix, Morris, England, Sellers, Gray,
Travis, McCampbell, Hassell, Givan, Drummond, Jackson, Ensler,
Rafferty, Chestnut, Boyd (Constitutional Amendment)
RFD: State Government
First Read: 03-Mar-26
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YMVW522-1 01/08/2026 JRF (F)JRF 2026-67
Page 1
First Read: 03-Mar-26
SYNOPSIS:
Under the existing Constitution of Alabama of
2022, the state shall not lend money or its credit to
any individual, association, or corporation.
This bill would propose an amendment to the
Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to provide that the
Alabama Department of Commerce may provide low-interest
loans to Alabama automotive manufacturers or suppliers
operating in the State of Alabama as part of the
Automotive Supply Chain Resilience and Expansion Act.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Proposing an amendment to Section 93 of the
Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to authorize the Alabama
Department of Commerce to provide low-interest loans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. The following amendment to the Constitution
of Alabama of 2022, is proposed:
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
The following Section 93.19 is added to the
Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to read as follows:
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HB549 INTRODUCED
Page 2
Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to read as follows:
The Alabama Department of Commerce is authorized to
provide low-interest loans to Alabama automotive manufacturers
or suppliers operating in the State of Alabama as part of the
Automotive Supply Chain Resilience and Expansion Act.
Upon ratification of this constitutional amendment, the
Code Commissioner shall number and place this amendment as
appropriate in the constitution omitting this instructional
paragraph and may make the following nonsubstantive revisions:
change capitalization, hierarchy, spelling, and punctuation
for purposes of style and uniformity; correct manifest
grammatical, clerical, and typographical errors; revise
internal or external citations and cross-references; harmonize
language; and translate effective dates.
END OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Section 2. An election upon the proposed amendment
shall be held in accordance with Sections 284 and 285 of the
Constitution of Alabama of 2022, and the election laws of this
state. The appropriate election official shall assign a ballot
number for the proposed constitutional amendment on the
election ballot and shall set forth the following description
of the substance or subject matter of the proposed
constitutional amendment:
"Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama
of 2022, to authorize the Alabama Department of Commerce to
provide low-interest loans to Alabama automotive manufacturers
or suppliers operating in the State of Alabama as part of the
Automotive Supply Chain Resilience and Expansion Act.
Proposed by Act ____. "
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HB549 INTRODUCED
Page 3
Proposed by Act ____. "
This description shall be followed by the following
language:
"Yes( ) No( ). "
Section 3. The proposed amendment shall become valid as
a part of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, when approved
by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon.
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