HB 251 appropriates $36.6 million from Alabama's Children First Trust Fund and $43.8 million from other tobacco settlement funds for the 2027 fiscal year. These funds are allocated to specific state agencies - including the Alabama Medicaid Agency, Department of Early Childhood Education, and Youth Services - to support children's health, education, and social services programs. The bill requires tobacco settlement revenues to be deposited into the Children First Trust Fund within 30 days of receipt and mandates quarterly allocations to agencies based on available funds. It also transfers funds currently designated for the State Board of Education to the State General Fund during fiscal year 2027. All allocations are conditional on receiving tobacco revenues and must align with approved investment plans for each agency.
HB 9 prevents individuals convicted of elder abuse or financial exploitation from benefiting from the victim's estate or contracts. Specifically, if convicted, the abuser cannot inherit through a will, receive property from joint accounts, or claim life insurance or other beneficiary benefits tied to the victim. The bill amends Alabama law to apply these restrictions automatically upon conviction for elder abuse/neglect (first/second degree) or financial exploitation of elderly persons. It ensures assets pass as if the abuser predeceased the victim, directly protecting vulnerable seniors from financial exploitation by caregivers or family members.
HB 34 proposes two new offenses under Alabama law: (1) knowingly providing false name, address, or date of birth to police during an official interaction (a Class A misdemeanor), and (2) willfully refusing to answer specific questions (name, address, date of birth, or explanation of actions) during a lawful investigatory stop when police have reasonable suspicion of a crime (a Class C misdemeanor). The bill clarifies that officers must identify themselves and state the reason for the stop before asking for information, and includes an exception preventing people from being forced to give self-incriminating details. It also updates existing law to require officers to state the reason for a stop and repeals the previous false information statute. If passed, these changes would apply to individuals stopped by police during investigations where reasonable suspicion exists.
HB 32 updates Alabama's child passenger safety laws by revising the age and weight requirements for car seats and boosters. It requires rear-facing seats until age 2 or 35 pounds (up from 1 year/20 pounds), forward-facing seats until age 5 or 65 pounds (up from 5 years/40 pounds), and adds specific fit criteria for booster seats (e.g., seatbelt position across shoulder/upper thighs). Violations carry escalating fines ($25-$150) with $15 of each fine funding vouchers for low-income families to purchase appropriate restraints. The bill also adds 1 point for first violations and 2 points for repeat offenses to driver records under state law enforcement. These changes aim to align with current safety guidelines while increasing enforcement for child passenger protection.
HJR 40 is a resolution passed by the Alabama Legislature recognizing specific occupations - including nursing, physical therapy, social work, architecture, accounting, and engineering - as professional careers. It directly affects these professions, which require advanced degrees, supervised training, and state licensure, and are vital to Alabama's healthcare, education, and economy. The resolution formally urges the U.S. Department of Education to reconsider a proposed federal reclassification that would exclude these fields from "professional degree programs." As a non-binding resolution, it does not change federal policy but seeks to influence the federal review process through official communication to the Secretary of Education and congressional leaders. The bill is currently pending committee action in the Alabama House.
HB 280 establishes the Alabama Health Command, an independent agency, to designate a virtual AI-assisted health platform for rural communities. The platform would provide non-diagnostic health management services - such as wellness education, appointment scheduling, and follow-up assistance - via an avatar-based system, connecting rural patients with local providers without diagnosing or treating medical conditions. The agency must set standards for patient privacy, data security, and preventing the platform from substituting for licensed medical care. Rural hospitals and clinics using this platform would be exempt from competitive bidding requirements, and the bill would take effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 288 (Alabama House Bill 288) changes how estates moved from probate court to circuit court are handled. Currently, circuit courts must follow probate court decisions when an estate is transferred; this bill allows circuit courts to start the case over ("trial de novo") unless all parties agree to use the probate court's record. It directly affects heirs, executors, and administrators involved in estate disputes who seek to move cases to circuit court. The bill makes this procedural change to Section 12-11-41 of Alabama's code while updating technical language. The bill is pending committee review and would take effect October 1, 2026.
HB 294, the Alabama Professional Workforce Protection Act, creates a state list of professional careers requiring advanced education or licensing - including nursing, teaching, engineering, healthcare, and accounting - and mandates that individuals in these fields become eligible for existing state workforce development programs, scholarships, and loan repayment initiatives. The bill specifically includes occupations like registered nurses, teachers, mental health counselors, and licensed engineers, which were excluded from federal professional classifications. It requires state agencies to recognize these professions in workforce planning and program eligibility without altering existing licensing board authority. The law aims to address workforce shortages by ensuring these critical professions access state-supported career development resources.
HR 35 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Alabama House of Representatives to posthumously commend Dr. Leon Frazier for his life and career. The resolution highlights his professional achievements as an educator (including roles at Oklahoma State University and military training centers), psychologist, and community leader, as well as his service in organizations like the National Association of College Deans. It specifically notes his legacy through schools named in his honor, such as Frazier Preparatory School in Uganda, and his contributions to faith-based initiatives. This resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal tribute to his accomplishments.
HR 36 is a resolution passed by the Alabama House of Representatives to commend Dr. Lloyd Walker for his 33 years of service at Alabama A&M University, including roles as a professor, dean, and research director. The resolution recognizes his contributions to the poultry industry, his dedication to student education, and his retirement effective January 1, 2026. It highlights his academic background, leadership roles, and personal life, including his family and post-retirement plans. As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a symbolic gesture of appreciation.
SR 18 is a procedural resolution that establishes a special order of business for the Alabama Senate on January 20, 2026. It prioritizes the consideration of six specific bills (including SB126, SB33, and SB118) in a predetermined sequence, ensuring they are addressed before other pending legislation. This resolution takes precedence over the regular legislative schedule, allowing the Senate to focus on these designated bills during the fourth legislative day. It directly affects the Senate's workflow and the timeline for debating these particular bills.
SB 172, the Access & Responsible Digital Safety Act, requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) to verify user age during account creation and share this information with developers to adjust content for minors. It mandates app stores to provide parents with tools to manage their children’s app access and restrict age-inappropriate content, while developers must ensure age-appropriate experiences and block targeted ads for children. Violations could trigger civil penalties enforced by Alabama’s Attorney General, with limited liability protections for app stores acting in good faith. The bill directly affects app store operators, developers of age-sensitive apps, and parents of minors using connected devices.
