SB231 Summary

• State park property seaward of Alabama Highway 182 in Baldwin County, including a 29-acre project site in Gulf State Park, cannot be sold but may be leased for up to 12 years by the Governor, with leases exceeding 12 years requiring majority approval by the Gulf State Park Project Committee.

• Governor may issue requests for proposals for construction, development, improvement, lease, and beneficial use of projects on the site; proposals become public record within 60 days of opening.

• Establishes Gulf State Park Project Committee consisting of the Governor (chair), Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, State Finance Director, Alabama Secretary of Commerce, Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on State Parks.

• Project agreements must include provisions requiring employment of engineers, architects, attorneys, contractors, and consultants reflecting the racial and ethnic diversity of the state; ground leases cannot exceed 70 years including extensions and renewals.

• Implementation contingent upon submission and approval of a current market feasibility study by the Gulf State Park Project Committee; act repeals on January 1, 2016 if state has not received National Resource Damage Assessment funds or Restore Act funds by December 31, 2015.