HB 37 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Purchase of Local Agricultural Products Incentive Program Fund within the State Treasury to provide rebates to restaurants purchasing Alabama agricultural products.

• Department of Agriculture and Industries administers the program and provides incentive payments to eligible restaurants of up to 4 percent of the total cost of Alabama agricultural products purchased during a fiscal year.

• Defines eligible agricultural products to include crops, livestock, dairy, seafood, and meat products produced or caught in Alabama, including Alabama coastal waters.

• Requires restaurants to submit applications with documentation of purchases within department-set timeframes; if insufficient funds exist, payments are distributed on a prorated basis to all applicants.

• Program and fund terminate on September 30, 2015, with no rebate payments authorized after that date; any unexpended funds revert to the state's General Fund.