HB611 Summary

• Establishes "The Baldwin County Toll Road and Bridge Authority – Baldwin Beach Express to Interstate 65 Project" as a public corporation with authority to acquire, design, construct, operate, and maintain a toll road and bridge connecting the Baldwin Beach Express to U.S. Interstate Highway 65.

• Authorizes the authority to issue revenue bonds payable from tolls, fees, and charges collected from users; bonds may mature up to 75 years from issuance and may be secured by pledging toll revenues.

• Grants the authority broad powers including eminent domain to acquire property, the ability to set and collect tolls without state regulation, and authority to contract with public and private entities for design-build and operational arrangements.

• Provides comprehensive tax exemptions for the authority, project property, bonds, and contractors including exemptions from ad valorem taxes, income taxes on authority activities, and mortgage and recording fees.

• Establishes a board of directors appointed by the Baldwin County Commission; authority is dissolved when all bonds are retired and remaining assets vest in the county.