SB64

ENGROSSED

By Senator Dial

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

To create the Alabama Space Authority within the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), to promote the research and development of new space exploration and spaceport technologies; to sponsor conferences and business roundtables within the aerospace, aviation, and related industries; and promote activities and industries related to space exploration; to include representatives on the authority of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the Alabama Department of Commerce, ADECA, Alabama Department of Transportation, the Governor, the Legislature, and other individuals with knowledge and interest in space technology.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. There is hereby established the Alabama Space Authority.

Section 2. The authority shall be composed of a representative of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, selected by the President of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the Director of the Auburn University Aviation Center, the President of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, the Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, the Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), the Director of the Department of Transportation (ALDOT), and six other members to be selected from the aerospace, aviation, and related industries, or persons having knowledge or interest in space technology, according to the following manner: One member appointed by the Governor, one member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and two members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

Section 3. The authority shall be created as an office in the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). ADECA shall provide for the initial support needed to apply for grant funding. Upon receipt of grant funding, ADECA shall provide administrative support for the authority.

Section 4. The authority shall have the following duties:

(1) Encourage the education and training of aerospace professionals to pioneer the frontier of space and to develop new methods and technologies for the exploration of space.

(2) Promote new space exploration, space tourism, and spaceport technologies across a wide spectrum of corporate, academic, public, and private innovation infrastructures.

(3) Sponsor aerospace conferences and business roundtables to enable networking among key aerospace leaders and public officials.

(4) Encourage the leveraging of venture capital and seed public-private partnerships to promote entrepreneurship and expand space enterprise.

(5) Propose business initiatives, tax credits, small business incubator programs, and other initiatives to stimulate economic development and innovation within the aerospace and space systems communities.

(6) Promote adequate roads, communications, Internet access, and leverage unique geographical assets such as location, elevation, landforms, and climate to develop terrestrial analog test facilities.

(7) Perform a study on the feasibility of securing approval for the State of Alabama to have a federally licensed spaceport.

(8) Identify, acquire, and manage the development of public lands for space related activities including, if found to be feasible, space launch.

(9) Encourage space research and education centers to support these programs and facilitate technology transfer.

(10) Work with the Department of Tourism, the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, and other public agencies to communicate the multiple scientific, educational, and commercial benefits of space exploration and the legacy of Alabama's contributions to America's space program to the public and to promote space tourism and training.

Section 5. For the purpose of accomplishing the duties enumerated in Section 4, the authority shall have the following powers:

(1) To borrow money for its corporate purposes and, in evidence of such borrowing, to sell and issue bonds of the authority and to refund any thereof by the issuance of refunding bonds, or other debt instruments.

(2) To acquire by purchase, gift, or any other lawful means any real, personal, or mixed property necessary or convenient in connection with the purpose for which the authority is formed and to hold title to such property, together with all rights incidental to its estate in such property.

(3) To exercise the right allocated to the state to acquire property used or useful for the purpose for which the authority is formed as freely and completely as and in the same manner that the State of Alabama is empowered to exercise such rights.

(4) To lease all or any part of the facilities or property of the authority to any person and, from time to time, fix, revise, charge, and collect rentals under such leases.

Section 6. Nothing in this act should be construed to limit the ability of municipalities or counties from developing aerospace infrastructure and capabilities.

Section 7. The enumeration of duties and powers shall not be construed to give any other public or private entity, department, or subdivision of the state, other than the Alabama Space Authority, the right to exercise the aforementioned powers.

Section 8. The authority may not be dissolved while it still holds outstanding bonds or other unpaid indebtedness.

Section 9. Membership of the authority shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses at the same rate and under the same circumstances as are payable by law to state employees for each day they attend business of the authority.

Section 10. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Alabama Space Authority

Economic and Community Affairs Department

Authorities

Alabama Development Office

Transportation Department

Legislature