Alabama Bills

This Alabama bill establishes new rules for tethering and confining dogs outside, requiring owners to use properly fitted equipment and provide adequate food, water, and shelter. It specifies that tethers must be lightweight, allow continuous access to resources, and prevent entanglement, while prohibiting logging chains and choke collars. The law includes exemptions for working dogs, service animals, licensed facilities, and individuals walking dogs on leashes. Violations could result in misdemeanor charges and require the owner to cover boarding and veterinary costs, with animal control officers authorized to enforce these standards.

This bill provides additional funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program through the end of fiscal year 2026 and establishes a new oversight committee to monitor how the money is used. The newly created Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Rural Health Transformation Program Funds will include leaders from both the House and Senate, along with committee chairs and minority representatives, to review reports and data from state agencies managing these funds. The committee will have the authority to request information and hold hearings to ensure transparency in how the Rural Health Transformation Program is implemented. This legislation focuses on funding allocation and oversight rather than changing the core programs themselves.

This bill would allow Winston County to collect an eight percent lodging tax on overnight stays at hotels, motels, inns, and short-term rentals, with the tax paid by guests and collected by lodging providers. The collected funds would be distributed to road and bridge improvements, the sheriff's office for law enforcement, and the county general fund for tourism development and debt repayment on the judicial building and jail. Additionally, the bill imposes a five dollar per night fire protection fee on transient accommodations, with the proceeds distributed equally among volunteer fire departments in the county. Both the lodging tax and fire protection fee would only take effect if approved by voters in a referendum held during the next state or local election.

This bill proposes renaming a specific section of Alabama Highway 21 between mile markers 39 and 41 in Monroe County to the Special Agent Justin Williams Memorial Highway. The legislation directly affects state road signage and official highway designations within that county. By amending specific lines in the state code, the bill would permanently update the highway's name to honor Special Agent Justin Williams. This change is administrative and commemorative, with no impact on traffic laws, funding, or operational procedures.

This bill modifies governance rules for public higher education institutions by limiting faculty senates to advisory roles and requiring tenure policies to be established by governing boards. It grants governing boards authority over course content and curriculum decisions while allowing them to continue existing post-tenure review policies if they meet new requirements. The legislation also clarifies that faculty members on faculty senates cannot exceed minimum standards set by the governing board unless specifically authorized. These changes shift more decision-making power from faculty groups to administrative boards regarding academic standards and faculty oversight.

HB 432 authorizes Montgomery County's probate judge to charge an additional reasonable fee for performing wedding ceremonies, on top of existing fees. This bill directly affects couples marrying in Montgomery County who would pay this new fee during their ceremony. The fee must be "reasonable," will be kept by the probate judge or their designee, and does not change current fee structures under Alabama law. The bill is procedural and focuses solely on fee authorization, with no broader policy changes.

SB 304 would allow Alabama municipalities to charge a business license fee to general contractors, subcontractors, engineers, and land surveyors who perform work within the municipality but lack a physical office there. The fee could be a flat rate or based on revenue from work done in that municipality. The bill prevents double-charging if these professionals already pay a similar fee in another municipality where they maintain a physical office. It also clarifies that existing delivery license rules or exemptions still apply, meaning some professionals may not need a separate license. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026.

SB 99 requires Alabama public schools to display the Ten Commandments with a context statement in history classrooms for grades 5-12 and common areas in schools serving 5th grade or above, but only if donated funds or displays are available. It mandates that the State Department of Education identify free resources to help schools comply and authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt rules for implementation. The bill does not impose a financial burden on schools, as it explicitly depends on donated materials rather than state funding. It applies directly to local school boards and history classrooms in Alabama public schools.

HB 151 repeals the law creating the Physicians Advisory Board for the University of Alabama School of Medicine. This board previously provided advice to the University of Alabama Board of Trustees on medical school operations. The bill removes this advisory body from state law without creating new policies or affecting students, faculty, or patients. It is a straightforward repeal of an existing administrative structure, with no new requirements or impacts on healthcare services. The repeal takes effect on October 1, 2026.

HB 240 provides $16.3 million from Alabama's Education Trust Fund to Tuskegee University for the 2027 fiscal year to support its educational programs and operations. The bill requires Tuskegee to submit an operations plan and audited financial statements before funds are released, along with quarterly spending reports and a final year-end performance report. At least $2 million of the appropriation must be used for agricultural research and extension services. This funding supports Tuskegee University as a state-supported institution with a unique historical relationship to Alabama, distinct from public universities or private colleges.

HB 95 requires election officials to conduct a post-election audit after statewide general elections. The audit must begin no earlier than 31 days after the election or after any election contest period ends (whichever is sooner), and must be completed within 30 days of starting. This bill directly affects state election administrators who manage the audit process. The key provision sets strict timing rules to ensure audits occur after the election results are finalized but before the next election cycle. It does not change voting procedures or eligibility, only the schedule for mandatory audits.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring all Alabama public K-12 schools to broadcast or permit school-sanctioned performances of the first stanza of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at least once weekly during school hours. Local school boards would need to adopt policies to implement this, using only Library of Congress-archived recordings or sheet music. The requirement applies directly to every public K-12 school in Alabama, with no exemptions specified. The amendment must be approved by voters in a statewide election to become part of the state constitution.