Labor & Employment (Economic Development)

This bill establishes the Rural Industry Reshoring and Reinvestment Act to attract manufacturing and supply chain companies to rural areas of Alabama by offering financial incentives. It creates a tax credit program that provides eligible businesses with up to 5% of qualifying payroll for up to 10 years when they create at least 15 full-time jobs with wages at or above the county median, plus an additional 10% bonus for projects that replace imported supply chains. The legislation also sets up a grant program to fund infrastructure improvements like roads, utilities, and broadband at rural industrial sites, with a separate grant for job creation based on the number of new positions. The Department of Commerce will designate specific rural areas as opportunity zones based on population and economic indicators, and these designations will be reviewed every three years.

SB 291 would prevent businesses that violate human trafficking or federal child labor laws from keeping economic tax incentives under Alabama's Jobs Act. If an entity violates these laws, it must reimburse the state and local governments for all tax incentives, grants, or abatements received. The bill also requires the Secretary of Commerce to verify applicants comply with these labor laws before approving incentives. These changes update Alabama law to close a loophole allowing violators to retain tax benefits.

HB 346 would prevent businesses that violate human trafficking or child labor laws from receiving Alabama Jobs Act tax incentives. Specifically, it requires companies found guilty of violating these laws to pay back the full value of any tax breaks, grants, or abatements they received. The bill also updates Alabama law to mandate that the Secretary of Commerce verify businesses do not engage in such violations before approving tax incentives. This directly affects any business seeking economic development tax incentives under Alabama's Jobs Act.