HB 596 amends existing law to prohibit the transport of live catfish, specifically those harvested from public waters, out of the state. This new provision would apply to any person, firm, or corporation. Violations of this prohibition would be classified as a Class B misdemeanor, carrying a fine of not less than $2,000 per offense. The bill is designed to regulate the movement of live catfish from state waters across state boundaries.
HB 442 formally updates the Code of Alabama 1975, which is the official compilation of state laws. It incorporates new general and permanent laws passed during the 2024 Regular Session through updated supplements and replacement volumes. The bill also includes revised local law volumes and makes specific technical corrections to existing code sections. This process ensures the published legal code is current and accurate for all who reference Alabama's statutes. The Secretary of State is responsible for the custody of these updated legal volumes.
HB 448, the Alabama Good Samaritan Wildlife Rehabilitation Act, authorizes individuals to provide temporary care for injured, orphaned, or debilitated wild birds and animals, excluding those that are federally protected or endangered. Individuals providing care must notify the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources of the care dates, and treatment cannot exceed six months. Upon release, the animal must be returned to the general area where it was found. The bill clarifies that it does not authorize the practice of veterinary medicine or exempt individuals from animal cruelty laws, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will adopt rules for its administration. This act is set to become effective on October 1, 2025.
HB 142 clarifies the legal status of independent contractors in Alabama. It specifies that certain aspects of the relationship cannot be used to establish an employment relationship, particularly for imposing liability under the Alabama Workers' Compensation Act. The bill also introduces new tax deductions, effective December 31, 2025, for both hiring parties and qualifying independent contractors. Hiring parties may deduct contributions made to portable benefit accounts for independent contractors, and independent contractors may deduct these contributions as business expenses.
HB 546 reinstates an exemption for the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo from certain sales and use taxes. Specifically, it exempts The Zoo Foundation, Inc., which operates the zoo, from state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes related to capital expenditures. This exemption, which had expired in 2022, would be extended until September 30, 2027. The bill requires the zoo to report annually to the Department of Revenue on the sales for which the exemption is granted, and any county sales and use tax exemption must be authorized by a county commission resolution.
HB 15 proposes to amend Alabama law concerning the disposition of uniform traffic tickets. Currently, any person, including law enforcement officers, who solicits or aids in the unauthorized handling of a traffic ticket can be held in criminal contempt by the court. This bill would create an exception, stating that the *issuing law enforcement officer* would not be subject to this specific criminal contempt power for soliciting or aiding in the unauthorized disposition of a uniform traffic ticket. Other individuals, including non-issuing officers or public employees, would still be subject to these contempt charges for similar actions. The act would become effective on October 1, 2025.
HB 58 proposes to repeal Section 13A-11-95 of the Code of Alabama. This existing law currently requires individuals carrying a concealed pistol to inform a law enforcement officer of their possession under certain circumstances. If enacted, the bill would eliminate this specific duty to inform, thereby removing any potential criminal penalty for failing to do so. This change would affect interactions between individuals with concealed firearms and law enforcement officers, becoming effective on October 1, 2025.
HB 450 proposes a constitutional amendment to change the age limit for individuals to be elected or appointed to a judicial office in Alabama. Currently, a person is not eligible after reaching 70 years of age. This bill would raise that age limit, allowing individuals to be elected or appointed to a judicial office until they reach 75 years of age. This proposed amendment would be put before voters in a statewide election for approval.
HB 483 proposes to exempt virtual currency, also known as cryptocurrency, from ad valorem taxation in Alabama. Ad valorem taxes are property taxes, meaning this bill would prevent virtual currency from being taxed as personal property. The bill achieves this by amending Section 40-9-1 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which lists various types of property exempt from such taxation. This change would directly affect individuals and entities in Alabama who own virtual currency.
HB 286 revises state competitive bidding laws, bringing volunteer fire departments and rescue squads under local competitive bid rules. It shortens the deadline for protesting a contract bid from 14 days to 5 days, and these protest procedures will no longer be subject to the Administrative Procedure Act. The bill also updates requirements for disclosure statements, including revising the financial threshold for when they are needed. Additionally, it allows for alternative forms or a single annual disclosure statement for multiple proposals to the same agency, and exempts contracts with publicly traded companies and economic development incentives from disclosure requirements.
HB 40 proposes to create the Criminal Justice Policy Development Council, a new body tasked with developing validated risk and needs assessments for offenders, inmate classification guidelines, and specific parole release guidelines. The bill would require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to use these new parole release guidelines in their decisions regarding inmates. If the Board deviates from these guidelines, they would be mandated to provide a written explanation for their reasons. The legislation also provides for appellate review for inmates negatively affected by the Board's deviation from the established guidelines.
House Bill 530 proposes to exempt Kidz Eatz, Incorporated, from paying state sales and use taxes. The bill also provides an option for counties and municipalities to exempt this entity from their local sales and use taxes, requiring a separate resolution or ordinance from each local governing body. This means the state exemption for Kidz Eatz, Inc. would be automatic, while local exemptions would be at the discretion of individual local governments. If enacted, these provisions would become effective on September 1, 2025.
