(a) The following is hereby found and declared by the Legislature of Alabama:
(1) The lack of content in natural and bio-science education offered to students in kindergarten through high school is a nationwide problem.
(2) Such lack in curricular offerings to students will be detrimental in the long-term to the economy of the state and the welfare of the citizens during the scientific revolution now engulfing the world.
(3) The biotechnology institute can provide to education leaders of the distance learning program of the state cutting edge biotechnology curriculum recommendations and content for Alabama high schools, by providing information about cutting edge biotechnology curriculum and content to students in kindergarten through high school pursuant to the distance learning program of the state, the state course of study, and state textbooks.
(4) By educating Alabama high school students in the field of biotechnology, such students are more likely to pursue careers in the biological sciences, thereby providing the state with a better educated workforce able to support the growing biotechnology industry, in turn attracting and encouraging biotechnology companies to locate in the state and create additional challenging and rewarding job opportunities for the citizens of the state.
(5) The reputation, economic status, and educational system of the state will be further enhanced by the addition of an internationally renowned biotechnology institute that will support internationally recognized scientists and researchers, with a focus on scientific discoveries that are intended, when possible, to be proven in the state and provided by companies in the state to patients suffering from diseases.
(6) By establishing a biotechnology campus, the biotechnology institute will be in a better position to join with the economic development leaders of the state to attract biotechnology companies to the campus and to the state, thereby creating additional job opportunities for the citizens of the state.
(b) The Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology, a nonprofit corporation, and any real and personal property owned by the corporation, shall be exempt from the payment of any and all state, county, and municipal taxes, licenses, fees, and charges of any nature whatsoever, including any privilege or excise tax heretofore or hereafter levied by the State of Alabama or any county or municipality thereof.
(c)(1) In exchange for the tax exemption granted in subsection (b), beginning October 1, 2008, and for each year thereafter, the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology shall make a report to the State Board of Education detailing the curricular content in biotechnology which could enhance the state distance learning program. This subdivision shall not apply in the event that the distance learning program is discontinued, or is no longer in existence. Further, the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology shall report annually to the State Board of Education, the State Course of Study Committee, and the State Textbook Committee all new developments in the field of biotechnology which could be integrated into the curriculum for high school courses in science and health.
(2) Further, in exchange for the tax exemption granted in subsection (b), the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology shall certify to the Legislative Fiscal Office and to the House and Senate education appropriations committees on or before September 30, 2008, that the following levels of investment, employment, and property improvements have been made in the State of Alabama:
a. The Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology has made an investment in the State of Alabama equal to or in excess of fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) in property and equipment.
b. The Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology has equal to or in excess of 100 employees.
c. For-profit companies have made property improvements on property in the State of Alabama owned by the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology equal to or in excess of five million dollars ($5,000,000).
(3) In the event that the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology fails to meet the requirements in subdivision (1), all tax exemptions granted in subsection (b) are null and void as of October 1, 2008, and the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology shall repay all taxes exempt under subsection (b) that were not otherwise exempt by law, beginning as of the effective date of the exemption until September 30, 2008. The Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology shall repay the taxes in equal installments each year beginning October 1, 2008, and ending October 1, 2018.
(d)(1) Each for-profit entity leasing or otherwise owning property located on property owned by the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology shall be subject to sales, use, and ad valorem taxes, and each for-profit entity leasing property located on property owned by the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology shall be subject to property tax on the leased property, fixtures, and equipment thereof except as otherwise allowed under Chapter 9B of this title, or any amendment or successor statute thereto.
(2) No for-profit entity shall be entitled to an exemption under subsection (b) directly or indirectly, including any property that is contributed to the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology by a for-profit entity if the contributing for-profit entity uses that contributed property in its for-profit activities.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 40 - Revenue and Taxation.
Chapter 9 - Exemptions From Taxation and Licenses.
Article 1 - General Provisions.
Section 40-9-1 - Persons and Property Generally.
Section 40-9-1.1 - Stringfellow Memorial Hospital.
Section 40-9-1.2 - Alabama Eye Bank.
Section 40-9-3 - Peanuts and Pecans Stored in Licensed Warehouses.
Section 40-9-4 - Products or Materials Used in Textile Manufacture.
Section 40-9-5 - Manufacturers of Calcium Cyanamide, Aluminum or Aluminum Products.
Section 40-9-6 - Personal Property Stored for Shipment Outside of State.
Section 40-9-7 - Personal Property Held by Warehouseman for Distribution.
Section 40-9-8 - Artesian Wells Leased to Municipalities.
Section 40-9-12.1 - United Appeal Fund Organizations and Supported Charities.
Section 40-9-14 - Property Used for Public Purposes.
Section 40-9-14.2 - Airport Authorities.
Section 40-9-15 - Alabama State Fair and Exhibit Association.
Section 40-9-17 - Property Owned and Used or Held by Colleges for Certain Purposes.
Section 40-9-18 - Property of Corporation Organized for Purpose of Aiding Retired Teachers, Etc.
Section 40-9-20 - Certain Homes Owned by Veterans or Their Widows.
Section 40-9-21.1 - Verification of Eligibility by Mail for Certain Persons.
Section 40-9-21.2 - Falsely Claiming Homestead Exemption.
Section 40-9-22 - Nuclear Fuel Assemblies.
Section 40-9-24 - Property Tax Relief Fund.
Section 40-9-25 - George Lindsey Celebrity Benefit, inc., Alabama Special Olympics, inc., Etc.
Section 40-9-25.1 - Magic Moments.
Section 40-9-25.2 - Habitat for Humanity Organizations and West Alabama Youth Services, Inc. (Ways).
Section 40-9-25.3 - Rainbow Omega, Inc.
Section 40-9-25.4 - Farley L. Berman Foundation, Inc.
Section 40-9-25.5 - American Bowling Congress.
Section 40-9-25.6 - Christian Children Homes, Inc.
Section 40-9-25.7 - Franklin Memorial Clinic, Inc.
Section 40-9-25.8 - Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
Section 40-9-25.9 - Bridge, Inc.
Section 40-9-25.11 - Little Sisters of the Poor.
Section 40-9-25.12 - Service Guild of Birmingham, inc., Early Intervention Program.
Section 40-9-25.13 - Big Oak Ranch, Inc.
Section 40-9-25.14 - Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.
Section 40-9-25.15 - Covington Baptist Association, Inc. - Christian Service Centers.
Section 40-9-25.16 - Food Banks.
Section 40-9-25.17 - Eagles' Wings, Inc.
Section 40-9-25.18 - Alabama Marine Corps League.
Section 40-9-25.20 - Community Action Association of Alabama.
Section 40-9-25.21 - Lifesouth Community Blood Centers.
Section 40-9-25.22 - Southern Research Institute.
Section 40-9-26.1 - Birmingham Regional Paratransit Consortium, Inc.
Section 40-9-26.2 - Twg 2021 Birmingham Foundation.
Section 40-9-26.3 - Victims of Crime and Leniency, Incorporated.
Section 40-9-27 - Prescriptions for Vitamins and Supplements Exempt From Sales Taxes.
Section 40-9-27.1 - Insulin, Insulin Syringes, and Related Items Exempt.
Section 40-9-28 - Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society and Valegrande Community Center.
Section 40-9-29 - Community Health Systems, Inc. and Walker Regional Medical Center.
Section 40-9-30 - Durable Medical Equipment; Exemptions From Certain Taxes.
Section 40-9-32 - Exemption of Shares in Corporations From Ad Valorem Tax.
Section 40-9-33 - Sales to a Contractor of Certain Personal Property to Be Incorporated Into Realty.
Section 40-9-34 - Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology.
Section 40-9-35 - Alabama Association of Rescue Squads.
Section 40-9-36 - Volunteer Fire Departments and Fire Protection Districts.
Section 40-9-37 - Military Death Benefits.
Section 40-9-39 - Food Pantries in Talladega County Which Distribute Food for Charitable Purposes.
Section 40-9-39.3 - Birmingham Holocaust Education Center.
Section 40-9-39.4 - Specified Community Foundation Entities.