HB542 Summary

• Establishes four regional Zoological Park and Museum Commissions in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery to support and promote educational and recreational facilities including zoos, museums, and botanical gardens within their respective districts.

• Creates distinct geographic districts for each commission: Birmingham (Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby Counties), Huntsville (Madison, Limestone, Morgan Counties), Mobile (Mobile, Baldwin Counties), and Montgomery (Autauga, Elmore, Montgomery Counties).

• Each commission consists of 7 members appointed by county chairs and city chief executives with staggered initial terms ranging from 1-4 years; subsequent terms are 4 years with members eligible for one additional term.

• Grants commissions authority to receive funding, contract, acquire and lease property, plan public recreation, and provide financial grants or loans to support zoological and museum facilities.

• Requires all four commissions to meet at least annually beginning November 2022 during the first two weeks of November to share progress, best practices, and report on inter-commission collaborations.