HB 52, the "Light of Justice Act," revives civil claims for sexual abuse of minors that were previously time-barred under Alabama law. It allows survivors who were under 19 at the time of the abuse to file lawsuits within 10 years of the bill's effective date (January 1, 2027), directly affecting those who missed the original six-year window. The bill requires the Attorney General to run a public awareness campaign about this new filing period and prohibits discrimination or retaliation against individuals who file such claims. It also holds organizations (like schools or religious institutions) accountable if they failed to prevent abuse. The law is contingent on a constitutional amendment being ratified by voters.
HB 48 establishes the "Ebony Alert System" to assist in locating missing Black youth or young adults (ages 12-25) under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, such as potential abduction, trafficking, or safety risks. It requires law enforcement to assess specific factors - like age, disability, or evidence of non-voluntary disappearance - before requesting activation, with the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) coordinating alerts via radio, TV, social media, and changeable message signs. Unlike the existing AMBER Alert (for children under 17), this system specifically targets Black youth and young adults, using similar dissemination channels but requiring police determination that public sharing would aid recovery. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not create new penalties or funding.
HB 62 requires Alabama local school boards to pay employees twice a month (on the 1st and 16th of each month) starting August 1, 2027. This affects all employees of public school districts and gives boards the option to opt out via written resolution within 60 days. The bill ensures this payment schedule won’t reduce any employee’s annual pay and includes adjustments for holidays or weekends. It becomes effective July 1, 2026, for implementing policies, with the payroll change taking effect in 2027.
HB 51 amends Alabama law to specifically protect current and former public officials from assault and harassment. It elevates assaults causing physical injury to public officials to second-degree assault (a Class C felony) instead of third-degree, and upgrades harassment or harassing communications targeting public officials to a Class B misdemeanor. The bill directly affects individuals who commit physical assault or threatening communications against public officials while they are performing their duties. These changes apply to all public officials as defined in Alabama law, including elected and appointed positions. The bill also includes minor technical updates to align the legal language with current style.
HB 53 proposes a constitutional amendment to Alabama's 2022 Constitution, allowing the legislature to revive time-barred legal claims related to child sexual abuse. It directly affects victims of childhood sexual abuse whose cases may have been dismissed due to expired statutes of limitations. The amendment would modify Section 95 to add an exception permitting the legislature to restore such claims through general law. This change would enable victims to pursue legal remedies for abuse that occurred years ago, even if the original time limit had passed. The proposal requires voter approval via a statewide election after legislative passage.
HB 61 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit the injection and storage of carbon dioxide and nonhazardous fluids in underground wells within Covington County, Alabama. The amendment would specifically apply to activities involving Class V and Class VI wells regulated under federal law. If approved by voters, this change would become part of Alabama’s constitution, requiring future voters to approve such projects in Covington County. The bill is currently pending committee review and requires a statewide vote for adoption.
HB 63, known as "Kylie's Law," would allow a non-biological parent (a "de facto parent") to adopt a child if the custodial parent consents, provided the de facto parent meets specific legal criteria. To qualify, the individual must prove by clear and convincing evidence factors like consistent caretaking, holding the child out as their own, and establishing a bonded parental relationship without expecting financial compensation. The bill treats such adoptions as stepparent adoptions under Alabama's adoption code, applying the same investigative and procedural requirements (e.g., home safety checks, background screenings). This change creates a legal pathway for long-term caregivers to formalize their parental role while prioritizing the child's best interests.
This resolution appoints a committee of three senators (named by the Senate Presiding Officer) and three representatives (named by the House Speaker) to escort Governor Kay Ivey to a scheduled joint legislative session on February 4, 2025. The committee’s specific role is to accompany the Governor to the House Chamber at 6:00 p.m. for her message delivery. This procedural bill establishes a formal protocol for the Governor’s attendance at this specific legislative meeting, directly affecting the Governor, the appointed committee members, and the legislative process.
HJR 2 is a procedural resolution appointing a six-member committee to formally notify the Alabama Governor that the legislature has convened and is ready to conduct business. The committee consists of three House members (named by the Speaker) and three Senate members (named by the Presiding Officer). This resolution establishes a specific process for the legislature to communicate its session start to the Governor, without creating new policies or affecting the public. It is a routine procedural step, not a substantive legislative measure.
HB 52 extends Alabama's tax deduction for contributions to ABLE savings accounts (for people with disabilities) from expiring in 2025 to December 31, 2030. It also increases annual funding for the CHOOSE Act, which provides education tax credits for low-income families, raising the annual deposit from $100 million to $150 million. The bill makes technical adjustments to the funding process, including allowing additional funds if program demand reaches 90% usage. These changes directly affect Alabama taxpayers who contribute to ABLE accounts or use CHOOSE Act credits for education expenses.
HB 445 regulates consumable cannabinoid products derived from hemp by requiring the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) to oversee their licensure and sale. The bill prohibits selling these products to minors and bans online sales and direct-to-consumer transactions. It specifically excludes products containing psychoactive cannabinoids (like THC) from the regulated definition. This bill directly affects businesses selling hemp-derived consumable products, shifting their regulation from current frameworks to the ABC Board. The bill is currently pending committee review in the House of Origin as of March 2025.
HB 357 amends tax code definitions to explicitly include "heated tobacco products" and "snuff" under tobacco product regulations. It adds a new provision (§40-25-25) stating that possessing more than 30 packages of unstamped cigarettes or heated tobacco products is presumed to be for evading taxes. This directly affects tobacco sellers and distributors who must stamp products to comply with tax requirements. The bill clarifies enforcement standards for tax evasion related to unstamped tobacco items, without changing tax rates or creating new taxes.
