HB176 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Space Authority within the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to promote space exploration, spaceport technologies, and aerospace industry development.

• Authority composed of representatives from University of Alabama in Huntsville, Auburn University Aviation Center, Alabama A&M University, Alabama Department of Commerce, ADECA, Alabama Department of Transportation, plus six additional members appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

• Grants authority power to borrow money, issue bonds, acquire property, lease facilities, and sponsor aerospace conferences and business roundtables to advance space-related industries and education.

• Assigns key duties including studying feasibility of a federally licensed spaceport in Alabama, identifying public lands for space activities, encouraging aerospace professional education, and promoting space tourism and technology transfer.

• Authority members serve without compensation but receive per diem and travel expense reimbursement; ADECA provides administrative support funded through grant receipts; bill becomes effective immediately upon passage.