§41-9-349. Powers and duties of commission generally.

(a) The commission shall acquire the Battleship USS Alabama (BB60) for and on behalf of the State of Alabama and select and improve appropriate sites for the permanent or temporary berthing of the vessel, taking into consideration factors, including, but not limited to, the accessibility of same, the location of nearby roads and highways, scenic attractions, esthetic value, cost, cooperation with federal, state, county, municipal, and other governmental authorities, protection from the hazards of weather, fire, and sea and any other factors which may affect the suitability of the site for the establishment of the ship as a temporary or permanent memorial and exhibit.

(b) The commission shall generate and manage operating funds through parking fees, admission charges, and overnight berthing or camping programs for the education of scouts and other youth groups exempt from state lodging taxes, staff or concession operations offering merchandise, food, beverages, rides, or services compatible with the commission's mission, and short term rental of park sites for educational, commemorative, civic, camping, or social functions.

(c) The commission may accept public or private gifts, grants, and donations for the purposes of this article, may make and enter into contracts with other governmental departments, agencies, and boards, either federal, state, or municipal, and with private persons and corporations, may transport the ship to and berth the same at temporary and permanent park sites, ready the ship for visitation by the public, establish and provide for a proper charge for admission to the ship and otherwise renovate, maintain, and operate the ship as a permanent memorial and exhibit.

(d) The commission shall have full, complete and exclusive jurisdiction over the vessel, the sites and the related exhibits and shall allocate funds from its treasury for the fulfillment and accomplishment of its duties and responsibilities in a manner as may be necessary and appropriate for the perfection of the purposes of this article, including the power to lease lands of the commission whenever the commission shall find any action to be in furtherance of the purposes for which the commission was organized, and the authority to pledge revenues from its income from long term leases, future revenues from admissions, and any other sources as may from time to time be necessary or desirable.

(e) No lease may be entered into for longer than 25 years with option to renew every five year period thereafter.

(Acts 1963, No. 481, p. 1028, §7; Acts 1965, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 169, p. 220, §1; Acts 1988, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 88-900, p. 467, §2; Acts 1997, No. 97-634, p. 1153, §1.)