The Alabama Jobs Enhancement Act, HB317, was passed in this week’s legislative session. Through the passing of HB317, Alabama maintains the ability to competitively position itself for economic development prospects, as well as the investment and jobs associated with these projects.

The main purpose of HB317 is to provide clarity to professional economic developers in Alabama. It clarifies the definition of lobbying for economic developers without altering any rules regarding traditional lobbying for these organizations.

“The passage of the Alabama Jobs Enhancement Act (HB317) ensures that Alabama will remain competitive for economic development projects and the investment and jobs associated with those projects,” said Jim Searcy, executive director of the Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA). “This act simply clarifies that site selectors and economic developers are not required to register as lobbyists in order to carry out customary economic development activities. It does nothing to weaken the ethics law.”

HB317 will not allow public officials in Alabama to profit from their office and is not part of a campaign to weaken Alabama’s ethic laws. The Alabama Jobs Enhancement Act does not change or amend any of the key provisions regarding economic gains or gifts in the state’s Ethics Act.

“The hundreds of economic developers in the state appreciate the efforts of the state legislature, the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Ethics Commissioners for their leadership in assessing an issue that could have proved devastating to Alabama’s economic development effort,” stated Searcy.

With the passing of HB317, local economic developers across the state can continue growing Alabama’s economy without fear of unnecessary legal liability.