House Bill 282 prohibits state and local government agencies from entering into contracts with "media monitoring organizations." These organizations are defined as companies that rate or rank news sources based on factual accuracy, misinformation, bias, or journalistic standards. The bill also prevents agencies from contracting with advertising or marketing firms that utilize the services of such media monitoring organizations. Furthermore, agencies must require companies seeking advertising or marketing contracts to certify their compliance with these prohibitions, which take effect on October 1, 2025.
HB 328 establishes the Alabama National Guard Legal Services Office and the Alabama National Guard Legal Assistance Program. These new entities are designed to provide legal advice and services to the Adjutant General, the State Military Department, and members of the Alabama National Guard. The bill outlines various positions within these offices, such as state staff judge advocates and general counsel, and details their responsibilities in areas like military justice, administration, and training. Additionally, it authorizes judge advocates and paralegals to perform notary acts under specific circumstances.
HB 556 modifies the employment options for retired law enforcement officers under the Employees' Retirement System. It allows these retired officers, who have the necessary certification, to work as police officers at any state college or university without suspending their retirement allowance. This is permitted as long as their annual compensation does not exceed $52,000. Additionally, the bill extends the timeframe for these retired officers to work as school resource officers or correctional officers under the same compensation limits, from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2030.
This bill revises the uniform pay plan for justices and judges in Alabama, directly affecting all supreme court justices, appellate court judges, circuit judges, and district judges. It changes how judicial experience is credited for salary calculations and increases. Under this bill, a judge or justice's salary will be based on their total years of service in *any* state court, rather than being specific to the court level where the experience was acquired. This creates a more unified system for calculating judicial compensation based on overall state court service.
HB 562 proposes to revise the powers and duties of the State Auditor and establish a new Division of Investigations. This bill directly affects state officers and government operations by expanding the Auditor's investigative capabilities. Specific provisions within the bill clarify language related to defining "wanton and reckless misconduct" and establishing conditions for probable cause in "criminal" matters.
HB 218 proposes to exempt the Lieutenant General Victor "Brute" Krulak Detachment (#1415) of the Marine Corps League from paying state sales and use taxes. This bill would directly affect this specific Marine Corps League detachment by reducing its operational costs related to purchases. Additionally, it would allow counties and municipalities to also grant this same entity an exemption from local sales and use taxes if approved by a local resolution or ordinance. The act is set to become effective on September 1, 2025.
HB 180 amends existing Alabama law concerning solid waste collection fees. This bill exempts households whose sole source of income is veterans' benefits from paying these fees. To receive the exemption, affected households must annually provide proof of income to their local county commission or municipal governing body. This exemption applies as long as veterans' benefits remain the household's only income source, similar to existing exemptions for Social Security recipients.
HB 473 amends existing law concerning boards of water and sewer commissioners. This bill prohibits these boards from restricting public recreational uses of water bodies they own or control, unless they can demonstrate a substantial public interest for doing so at a public hearing. The public must receive at least 10 days' notice before such a hearing. Emergency restrictions are permitted for 90 days, after which a public hearing is required, and all restrictions can be appealed to a circuit court. This measure specifically applies to navigable waterways within 50 miles of the Gulf of America that serve as sources of drinking water.
HB 296 amends current law regarding the crime of resisting arrest. This bill directly affects individuals who are arrested for intentionally preventing a peace officer from making an arrest. It establishes a new provision requiring a mandatory 24-hour temporary holding period in custody for anyone accused of resisting arrest. During this holding period, a defendant cannot be released on bond, an appearance bond, or personal recognizance. The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2025.
HB 311 streamlines the process for collecting unpaid assessments levied by Alabama Improvement Districts on property owners. The bill shifts the responsibility for collecting these overdue payments from improvement districts to county revenue commissioners. Under this bill, unpaid assessments would be treated similarly to property tax liens and enforced by the county revenue commissioner, who is authorized to charge a reasonable fee for this service. This change eliminates the existing provision that allows improvement districts to initiate foreclosure proceedings on properties for unpaid assessments.
HB 329 requires individuals and companies to obtain local government approval before constructing tall structures, defined as over 200 feet, within two miles of a military installation. To gain approval, applicants must provide documentation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirming no hazard to air navigation or a resolution of any adverse impact on military operations. The bill also establishes specific review processes for wind energy facilities. Local governments are authorized to seek court orders to stop construction that proceeds without the required approval, aiming to protect military operations and readiness.
HB 377 proposes a change to the immunization requirements for students enrolling in Alabama public or private schools. Currently, all students must present a "Blue Card," which is a certificate of immunization or testing. This bill would allow dependents of active duty military personnel to use their military medical records as evidence of age-appropriate immunizations and testing instead of the Blue Card. This change aims to provide an alternative documentation method for military families for admittance to kindergarten through 12th grade.
