SB 292 expands the investigative powers of the State Superintendent of Education. It authorizes the Superintendent to issue subpoenas to summon witnesses and compel the production of records for matters within the authority of the State Department of Education or State Board of Education. The bill also allows the Superintendent to appoint special investigators within the Office of General Counsel. These investigators would have general investigative powers, including serving subpoenas, accessing public school property, and reviewing relevant law enforcement records to aid in investigations, such as those concerning school employee misconduct.
Senate Bill 274 (SB 274) prohibits the possession and sale of psychoactive cannabinoids, including delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) derived from hemp, within Alabama. The bill establishes new criminal penalties for violations, ranging from a Class A misdemeanor for personal possession to Class C and D felonies for unlawful sale or repeat possession offenses. These prohibitions directly affect individuals and businesses currently involved in the sale or possession of these compounds. The only exceptions are those authorized under the state's medical cannabis laws, and the bill is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025.
SB 281 defines and regulates "earned wage access services," which allow employees to access their earned but unpaid income before their scheduled payday. The bill clarifies that platforms providing these services are not considered lenders, money transmitters, or debt collectors, provided they meet specific consumer protection standards. These standards require providers to disclose all fees, offer a no-cost option for accessing funds, allow consumers to cancel services, and reimburse consumers for overdraft fees caused by the provider. It also prohibits providers from using civil suits to compel repayment of outstanding funds or fees.
SB 303 amends the School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act by revising definitions related to the eligibility of principals and assistant principals for annual stipends. The bill expands the definitions of "Assistant Principal" and "Principal" to include Career and Technical Education Building Administrators and Alternative School Administrators. To be included, these administrators must be housed full-time at a standalone facility, oversee its daily operations, and supervise teachers there. This clarifies which school administrators qualify under the act, impacting their eligibility for associated annual stipends.
SB 191 requires the Alabama Medicaid Agency to cover screening for postpartum depression and prohibits step therapy protocols for related prescription drugs for Medicaid patients. It also mandates the Alabama Department of Public Health to develop and distribute educational materials on postpartum depression for healthcare professionals and new parents. Additionally, the bill requires physicians and other healthcare professionals to assess birth mothers for postpartum depression as part of postnatal or pediatric infant care. These provisions aim to increase access to screening, treatment, and education for postpartum depression.
SB 336 amends the Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act to allow for the creation of conversion public charter school districts. The bill enables a local school board to convert two or more of its existing non-charter public schools into a conversion public charter school district. These converted schools would operate as charter schools under the governance of the same local school board, which acts as their authorizer. A key provision states that conversion public charter schools must give enrollment preference to students residing within their former attendance zone. This expands the options for how local school boards can manage and organize multiple public schools as charter entities.
SB 120 proposes to exempt the Alabama Eye Bank from paying state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes. This exemption would directly affect the Alabama Eye Bank by reducing its operating costs. The bill specifies that this tax relief would be in effect for a five-year period, commencing on October 1, 2025, and concluding on September 30, 2030, unless further legislative action extends it.
SB 341 expands the eligibility for distinctive motor vehicle license tags for veterans in Alabama. Currently, specific veterans exposed to radiation from atomic bomb and weapon testing between 1944 and 1962 can receive these tags. This bill would include additional veterans who were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation due to their service. This includes those who directly participated in atomic weapon detonations, cleanup of radioactive material, or were exposed to ionizing radiation during World War II. Eligible veterans would apply through their local license official and pay the standard license fee, plus an additional fee for the distinctive tag.
SB 257 amends existing law related to the Alabama Educational Television Foundation Authority. Currently, the Authority is prohibited from engaging in activities that influence legislation or involve propaganda. This bill would authorize the Authority to use its funds for fundraising, soliciting donations, and otherwise securing additional funding. These activities must comply with the Internal Revenue Code and applicable federal regulations. This change directly affects the Authority by expanding its capacity to seek financial support.
SB 107 aims to adjust how Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT) proceeds are distributed to municipalities. Currently, these distributions are based on population figures from the most recent federal census. This bill would allow municipalities to request a recalculation of their population for SSUT distribution purposes every fifth year after a federal census, commencing January 1, 2026. These recalculations would account for population changes due to annexations, deannexations, or new incorporations. Municipalities must submit specific certified documentation to the Department of Revenue to support these population adjustments.
SB 69 prohibits the Board of Control for the Employees' Retirement System of Alabama (ERSA) and the Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama (TRSA) from investing public funds with certain entities. Specifically, it disallows investments with "restricted entities affiliated with Communist Chinese military companies." The bill requires these boards to create a list of such restricted entities by January 1, 2026, to guide future investment decisions.
HJR 348 is a commemorative resolution that commends Tobin "Toby" Roth. It congratulates him on his installation as the International President of Theta Chi Fraternity, recognizing his lifelong dedication and leadership within the organization.
