Alabama Congressional Bills

passed · Alabama · House May 22, 2025

HR 1701: Strategic Ports Reporting Act

HR 1701, the Strategic Ports Reporting Act, requires the State and Defense Departments to map global ports critical to U.S. national security and economic interests, including identifying Chinese government or company efforts to control such ports. It mandates a comprehensive study on Chinese activities at strategic ports - such as promoting products like LOGINK and setting industry standards - and assesses how Chinese control could harm U.S. interests. The departments must submit a detailed, unclassified report to Congress within one year, including lists of ports controlled by China or the U.S., vulnerability assessments, and a strategy for securing trusted investments in port infrastructure. The report will also evaluate costs for replacing Chinese products and identify funding sources for U.S. alternatives.

in committee · Alabama · House May 21, 2025

HRES 441: Expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as "Mental Health Awareness Month".

HRES 441 is a symbolic House resolution expressing support for designating May 2025 as "Mental Health Awareness Month." It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change existing policies - it solely aims to raise public awareness about mental health challenges. The resolution cites statistics on rising mental health issues (including youth depression, suicide rates, and disparities in care access) to underscore the need for greater attention. It encourages the public, schools, and organizations to use the month to promote mental well-being and reduce stigma, but contains no concrete policy changes or mandates.

Andrea Salinas (D) · 47 co-sponsors

in committee · Alabama · Senate May 21, 2025

S 1843: Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025

S 1843, the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025, extends funding for existing federal reentry programs through 2030 instead of 2023. It updates timeframes across multiple programs, including state reentry demonstration projects (adding substance use disorder treatment and housing services), family-based substance abuse grants, prison education evaluations, career training for incarcerated individuals, and community mentoring programs. These programs directly support people returning from incarceration by providing critical services like recovery support, job training, and transitional housing. The bill makes no new policy changes but continues current federal funding mechanisms for reentry assistance.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

in committee · Alabama · Senate May 21, 2025

S 1833: Leadership in CET Act

S 1833, the Leadership in CET Act, creates a 5-year pilot program to speed up patent examinations for specific critical technologies like AI systems, semiconductor designs, and quantum computing. It allows qualifying U.S. applicants (excluding foreign entities of concern) to submit patent applications for these technologies under an accelerated review process, with a limit of 15,000 applications total. The program requires applicants to certify inventors haven't filed more than four similar applications previously and mandates public reporting on application numbers and patents issued. The pilot ends after 5 years or 15,000 accepted applications, whichever comes first, and requires a final report to Congress on its effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Alabama · Senate May 21, 2025

S 1845: No Loan Forgiveness for Terrorists Act of 2025

This bill amends the Higher Education Act to exclude from public service loan forgiveness any employment with organizations that engage in specific illegal activities. It targets organizations that: aid illegal immigration (e.g., violating border laws), materially support terrorism (including funding cartels), commit severe child abuse (like forced medical procedures or trafficking), engage in systemic illegal discrimination, or repeatedly violate state tort laws (e.g., trespassing, vandalism). Employees working for such organizations would no longer qualify for student loan forgiveness under the public service program. The law directly affects individuals employed by qualifying organizations seeking this specific federal loan benefit.

Topics ✗ Immigration

in committee · Alabama · Senate May 21, 2025

S 219: Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

The Veterans Health Care Freedom Act establishes a 3-year pilot program (starting one year after enactment) in at least four VA service networks, allowing eligible veterans enrolled in VA health care to choose their primary and specialty care providers from a broader network of VA facilities and non-VA providers with VA agreements. It removes current restrictions requiring veterans to use providers only in their local VA network or limiting non-VA care to situations where VA care was "unavailable." After the pilot, these expanded choices become permanent, meaning veterans will always be able to select providers without those restrictions and VA will provide care at any VA facility, regardless of the facility's network location relative to the veteran's residence.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · Alabama · House May 21, 2025

HR 3552: Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill extends existing federal reentry programs under the Second Chance Act through 2030, continuing funding for services supporting people returning to communities after incarceration. It specifically maintains grants for state/local reentry projects (including substance use treatment, housing, and peer recovery services), family-based substance abuse treatment, prison/jail educational programs, career training, and community mentoring by nonprofits. The bill updates program timelines from their previous 2019-2023 authorization period to 2026-2030 without altering the core services provided. It directly affects state/local agencies, prisons, and nonprofit organizations administering these reentry programs. The legislation focuses solely on extending current funding mechanisms, not changing program requirements or creating new initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Carol D. Miller (R) · 31 co-sponsors

in committee · Alabama · House May 21, 2025

HR 3559: Save Our Forests Act of 2025

HR 3559, the Save Our Forests Act of 2025, requires the U.S. Forest Service to increase staffing for National Forest System lands within 30 days of enactment to support forest health and productivity. It mandates reinstating Forest Service employees terminated between January 20, 2025, and the bill’s enactment date. The bill also directs the continuation of specific existing projects funded under laws like the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These provisions directly affect Forest Service operations, workers, and the management of national forests.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

Joe Neguse (D) · 31 co-sponsors

in committee · Alabama · House May 21, 2025

HR 3555: Protect our Parks Act of 2025

HR 3555, the Protect our Parks Act of 2025, requires the Secretary of the Interior to ensure National Park Service units are fully staffed for visitor safety, resource protection, and maintenance within 30 days of enactment. It mandates rehiring all National Park Service employees involuntarily terminated between January 20, 2025, and the bill’s enactment date. The bill also directs the continuation of specific park projects funded under the Great American Outdoors Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation directly affects National Park Service staff and park operations, focusing on staffing stability and project continuity.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

Joe Neguse (D) · 36 co-sponsors

in committee · Alabama · House May 21, 2025

HR 3527: Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2025

The Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2025 would provide federal grants to support comprehensive sex education and sexual health services for young people aged 10-29. The bill establishes four grant programs: for K-12 schools and youth organizations, for colleges and universities, for educator training, and for sexual health services specifically targeting underserved youth. To qualify for funding, programs must be evidence-informed, medically accurate, inclusive of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed. The bill appropriates $100 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2031, with specific funding allocations for each program type. It prohibits funding for programs that withhold health information, promote stereotypes, or fail to address the needs of specific groups like pregnant youth or survivors of violence.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Alma S. Adams (D) · 24 co-sponsors

passed · Alabama · House May 20, 2025

HCONRES 30: Expressing support for local law enforcement officers.

HCONRES 30 is a symbolic resolution expressing congressional support for local law enforcement officers. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes their work through four non-binding actions: thanking officers and families for service, honoring those who died in the line of duty, and encouraging community-law enforcement collaboration. The resolution directly addresses Congress's acknowledgment of law enforcement efforts, not any specific group affected by a policy change. It has no legal effect or funding implications, serving solely as a statement of appreciation. This is a procedural resolution, not a legislative bill with concrete policy changes.

Mike Ezell (R) · 35 co-sponsors

passed · Alabama · Senate May 20, 2025

SRES 238: A resolution congratulating the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of charter schools across the United States for making ongoing contributions to education and supporting the ideals and goals of the 26th Annual National Charter Schools Week, to be held May 11 through May 17, 2025.

SRES 238 is a non-binding Senate resolution congratulating charter school students, parents, teachers, and leaders for their contributions to education during the 26th Annual National Charter Schools Week (May 11-17, 2025). It formally recognizes charter schools as public schools that provide diverse educational options, citing their role in improving student achievement and closing achievement gaps, particularly for disadvantaged students. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely expresses support through symbolic recognition and encourages public observance during the designated week. It directly affects the charter school community nationwide, as acknowledged in the resolution’s text.

Tim Scott (R) · 21 co-sponsors

Alabama Congressional Bills

Bill results