SB 224 would amend Alabama’s G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program by lowering the minimum disability rating required for veterans’ dependents to qualify from 40% to 30%. This change would directly affect children and spouses of disabled veterans whose disability rating is 30-39% (previously excluded). The bill also establishes a pilot program to admit additional dependents of eligible veterans beyond current eligibility limits. These changes would adjust existing statutes (Sections 31-6-4, 31-6-6, and 31-6-9) to expand access to tuition assistance for veterans’ families. The bill is pending committee review as of its first reading on January 29, 2026.
SR 30 is a procedural Senate resolution that establishes a special order for the Senate to consider four specific bills (SB95, SB42, SB9, and SB41) on January 29, 2026, ahead of regular business. It designates the sequence for debating and voting on these bills without altering their content or policy substance. The resolution prioritizes these bills for the eighth legislative day, placing them above pending or unfinished business. This procedural measure does not change laws but controls the Senate's immediate agenda.
HB 284 revises Marshall County's procedures for handling abandoned and stolen property recovered by the sheriff's office. It requires the sheriff to sell unclaimed property (including firearms) at public or online auctions after 12 months, with notice published in local newspapers or posted at the courthouse. The bill adds specific rules for firearms: sheriffs must maintain permanent records of recovered firearms, attempt to locate owners (notifying neighboring counties), and sell only to licensed dealers via sealed bids, with proceeds going to the sheriff's office. This directly affects Marshall County residents who may have unclaimed property and the sheriff's office managing these sales.
This bill requires individuals selling contractual rights to buy property (known as "equitable interests") for a fee to obtain a real estate license, ending a prior exemption. It mandates specific disclosures to buyers about the transaction and requires a fixed closing date in all such contracts. Violations - like failing to disclose key details or omitting a closing date - could result in fines or penalties imposed by the Alabama Real Estate Commission. The bill directly affects sellers of property through contracts (e.g., land contracts) rather than deeds, who previously could operate without a license.
SB 218 would allow off-road vehicles (ORVs) to operate on specific public roads in unincorporated county areas with a 45 mph speed limit, provided they meet registration, equipment, and insurance requirements. ORV operators must hold a valid driver's license and follow standard traffic laws for passenger vehicles, except where impractical. The bill exempts ORV use on private property (with landowner permission) and for agricultural, emergency, or official government purposes. Violating these rules would result in a traffic infraction, and counties would not be liable for injuries related to ORV operation on public roads.
SJR 29 is a non-binding resolution from the Alabama Legislature urging the President to prioritize online sextortion of minors as a top domestic issue in the State of the Union address. It cites FBI data showing over 13,000 reports of financial sextortion against minors (primarily boys) between 2021-2023, involving 12,600 victims and linked to at least 20 suicides. The resolution notes Alabama has enacted state laws (Acts 2025-302 and 2025-386) to address sextortion but emphasizes this crisis requires federal action. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies - it solely requests the President elevate the issue publicly.
SB 56 proposes a constitutional amendment for Walker County, Alabama, allowing residents aged 65 or older to claim a property tax exemption on their primary residence. To qualify, individuals must own a single-family home as their main home for at least five years and apply in writing between October 1 and December 31, 2027. The exemption freezes the property’s assessed value from the year before claiming it, though taxes may still rise if local millage rates increase. It does not affect eligibility for other exemptions like homestead benefits, and the exemption continues as long as the property remains the owner’s primary residence. The amendment requires voter approval to take effect.
SB 64 amends Alabama law to change how Marshall County selects and supports its voting machine custodian. It requires the presiding circuit judge, circuit clerk, and presiding district judge to join the selection committee, clarifies the custodian’s 12 specific duties (including testing machines, ADA compliance, and equipment handling), and increases the custodian’s salary from $8,900 to $27,000 annually starting July 2026. The bill directly affects Marshall County election staff and the custodian position, focusing on operational clarity and compensation for managing voting equipment. It becomes effective June 1, 2026.
This is a commemorative resolution (SJR 10) honoring Claudette Colvin, a Montgomery, Alabama, civil rights activist. It formally records the Alabama legislature's mourning of her death while celebrating her life and legacy, particularly her 1955 refusal to give up her bus seat - nine months before Rosa Parks' similar act - which led to the landmark *Browder v. Gayle* Supreme Court case ending bus segregation. The resolution highlights her later recognition, including a 2021 expungement of her juvenile arrest record, and her ongoing impact through her foundation and family. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any rights or obligations.
This resolution (SJR 13) formally commends the Alabama chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) for their work in preserving American history, promoting patriotism, and supporting education. It highlights their specific activities, including DAR’s founding of the Kate Duncan Smith School (serving 1,300+ students) and SAR’s efforts to document Revolutionary War lineage and historical preservation. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply expresses the Alabama Legislature’s appreciation for these organizations’ community contributions.
HJR 4 is a memorial resolution passed by the Alabama Legislature to honor the life and service of Howard Sanderford, a former 33-year state representative (1989-2022) who died on January 7, 2026. The resolution commemorates his military service (U.S. Marine Corps, 1958 Beirut landing), career in information technology, leadership in the Alabama House (including committee chairs), and community contributions like championing Space Camp scholarships. It does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the Legislature’s condolences to his family and celebrates his legacy of public service. The resolution was adopted unanimously on January 13, 2026, and enrolled the following day.
This resolution (SJR 8) requests the Alabama Department of Transportation name the bridge on U.S. Highway 98 spanning Big Creek Lake in Wilmer as the "Lamar Harrison Memorial Bridge." It honors Lamar Harrison, a Wilmer resident who owned local businesses, supported community institutions like Mobile Christian School and Faulkner University, and served in the Alabama National Guard. The resolution asks the DOT to coordinate with local officials to designate the bridge and install appropriate markers, consistent with existing laws. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new law or affect policy, but formally recognizes Harrison's community contributions.
