AL
Alabama Senate Bill SB167

Alabama 2024 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB167

Introduced
2/27/24  
Introduced
2/27/24  
Report Pass
3/19/24  
Refer
2/27/24  
Engrossed
4/16/24  
Report Pass
3/19/24  
Engrossed
4/16/24  
Report Pass
5/1/24  
Refer
4/16/24  

Caption

Alabama Jobs Act; requirements for approved companies revised

Impact

The bill aims to enhance protections against labor exploitation in Alabama's economic development initiatives. By conditioning the continuation of incentives on compliance with human trafficking laws and labor standards, it seeks to ensure that financial incentives provided by the state do not inadvertently support unethical or illegal practices. This reflects a growing awareness and response to labor rights issues within legislative frameworks.

Summary

SB167 amends the Alabama Jobs Act to revise the requirements for approved companies regarding the receipt of jobs act incentives. With the proposed changes, any jobs act incentives awarded to incentivized companies can be recaptured if the company or a related entity engages in violations related to human trafficking or does not adhere to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This brings a stricter accountability measure to incentivized companies by tying the earning of incentives directly to their compliance with crucial labor laws.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around SB167 appears to be supportive among legislators focused on ethical employment practices and the integrity of economic development programs. The unanimous vote (29-0) in favor of the bill indicates broad bipartisan support, suggesting that lawmakers view these amendments as a necessary step to uphold labor standards while fostering job creation. However, the bill may also face scrutiny from businesses concerned about the implications of potential recapture of incentives.

Contention

While the amendments to the Alabama Jobs Act were generally well-received, there may be apprehension among some business entities regarding the specific conditions under which incentives could be recaptured. The provisions that could hold companies accountable for human trafficking violations may require them to enhance their compliance mechanisms and scrutiny of labor practices. Such regulations could lead to potential disputes over the interpretation of compliance with advocacy groups possibly pressing for stronger enforcement of labor rights.

Latest SB167 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AL SB22

Alabama Jobs Act, further provides for recapture of incentives

AL SB164

Relating to the Alabama Jobs Act and the Growing Alabama Act; to amend Sections 40-18-370, 40-18-372, 40-18-374, 40-18-375, 40-18-376, 40-18-376.1, 40-18-376.2, 40-18-376.3, 40-18-376.4, 40-18-377, 40-18-378, 40-18-382, 40-18-383, 40-18-417.1, 40-18-417.2, 40-18-417.3, 40-18-417.4, 40-18-417.7, and 40-9B-4.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to extend the Alabama Jobs Act sunset date to July 31, 2028; to increase the annualized cap on outstanding Alabama Jobs Act incentives by twenty-five million dollars each year for five years up to four hundred seventy-five million dollars; to increase the investment tax credit transfer time to provide that the first five years of the investment credit may be transferred by the incentivized company and applied by another person or company under the Alabama Jobs Act; to extend the Growing Alabama Act sunset date to July 31, 2028, to increase the annual cap on funding approved pursuant to the Growing Alabama Act to thirty-five million dollars; to remove certain programs from the Growing Alabama Act for the transfer to Innovate Alabama.

AL HB241

Relating to the Alabama Jobs Act and the Growing Alabama Act; to amend Sections 40-18-370, 40-18-372, 40-18-374, 40-18-375, 40-18-376, 40-18-376.1, 40-18-376.2, 40-18-376.3, 40-18-376.4, 40-18-377, 40-18-378, 40-18-382, 40-18-383, 40-18-417.1, 40-18-417.2, 40-18-417.3, 40-18-417.4, 40-18-417.7, and 40-9B-4.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to extend the Alabama Jobs Act sunset date to July 31, 2028; to increase the annualized cap on outstanding Alabama Jobs Act incentives by twenty-five million dollars each year for five years up to four hundred seventy-five million dollars; to increase the investment tax credit transfer time to provide that the first five years of the investment credit may be transferred by the incentivized company and applied by another person or company under the Alabama Jobs Act; to extend the Growing Alabama Act sunset date to July 31, 2028, to increase the annual cap on funding approved pursuant to the Growing Alabama Act to thirty-five million dollars; to remove certain programs from the Growing Alabama Act for the transfer to Innovate Alabama.

AL HB441

Growing Alabama Act, Innovating Alabama Act, Alabama Jobs Act, Innovate Alabama, allow existing communities to qualify for incentives

AL SB331

Growing Alabama Act, Innovating Alabama Act, Alabama Jobs Act, Innovate Alabama, allow existing communities to qualify for incentives

AL SB151

Relating to economic development; to add Section 40-18-379.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to require the Department of Commerce to publish certain information regarding economic development incentives awarded under the Alabama Jobs Act.

AL SB330

Relating to the Alabama Jobs Act, amends definition of renewable generation facility

AL SB315

Alabama Rural, Agribusiness, and Opportunity Zone Jobs Act; certain state matching capital loans authorized, subject to appropriation

AL HB240

Relating to economic development; to add Section 40-18-379.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to require the Department of Commerce to publish certain information regarding economic development incentives awarded under the Alabama Jobs Act.

AL HB325

Alabama Film Office, director appointment process revised

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.