The Legislature makes the following findings:

(1) At any given time, the level of activity in our construction industry is a primary yardstick for measuring the overall economic health of this country and this state, and that the success and stability of the building, manufacturing, and commercial businesses are dependent upon a sufficient supply of skilled artisans and craft persons who can produce quality products that inspire public confidence. The State of Alabama and the nation has a great need for a program that provides for the recruitment of, and training programs and opportunities for, new construction craft trade workers. It is desirable and in the public interest to establish a public authority at the state level to create and implement such a program.

(2) The passage of a federal economic stimulus package provides substantial funding for significant new highway, road, bridge, and public infrastructure projects, and the Legislature recognizes that these projects will place additional demands for skilled artisans and craft persons which the existing construction workforce may not support.

(3) It is desirable and in the public interest that construction craft industry fees dedicated for the recruitment of and the promotion of training programs and opportunities for new construction craft workers shall be annually appropriated to the Recruitment and Training Promotion Fund and dedicated for expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute.

(4) By passage of Act 2010-220, it is the intention of the Legislature to do all of the following:

a. Establish the Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute as an independent public authority that is separate and distinct from the Alabama 21st Century Authority.

b. Provide for the continuation of the special fund known as the Recruitment and Training Promotion Fund created pursuant to Act 2009-563 and provide for the deposit of certain construction craft industry fees into the Recruitment and Training Promotion Fund.

c. Provide that Alabama 21st Century Authority shall have no duties or powers related to the Recruitment and Training Promotion Fund.

d. Provide that the Alabama 21st Century Authority shall provide limited assistance to the institute for the purpose of enabling the institute to commence operations.