HB 499 authorizes Alabama counties to adjust constable operations through local legislation. It allows counties to revise the number of constables, redraw geographic service areas for constables, or change conditions under which a constable's office becomes vacant. Currently, counties could only abolish the constable office entirely; this bill expands flexibility for local management. The changes would apply to all counties in Alabama and take effect October 1, 2026.
HB 501 authorizes the City of Prichard to establish self-help business improvement districts (BIDs) that allow local businesses to voluntarily form districts to fund area improvements. The bill requires 60% of business owners to petition for a district, sets a 4% cap on annual benefit assessments (based on gross revenue), and mandates detailed district plans covering boundaries, proposed projects, and funding methods. These districts would fund tangible improvements like maintenance or marketing to benefit participating businesses, with administration handled by a business owners' association requiring majority business owner representation. The law outlines procedures for district formation, renewal, and dissolution but does not require city approval for the initial petition.
HB 496 requires Class 2 municipalities (smaller Alabama cities/towns) to notify neighboring homeowners when foreclosing on properties for unpaid code violations (like unsafe housing). It adds "adjoining owners" to the list of parties who must receive foreclosure notices and grants them the right to bid on the property before public auction, with bidding preference over other bidders. This applies specifically to municipal liens from code enforcement, not tax foreclosures, and updates existing code language to clarify these requirements. The bill directly affects adjacent property owners in communities governed by Class 2 municipal codes and changes how foreclosure notices and bidding processes operate.
HB 510 expands the authority of industrial development boards in Alabama's Class 2 municipalities (populations 5,000-20,000). It grants these boards the power to issue bonds, finance projects through loans or grants, and manage development projects like buildings, housing, and infrastructure to advance economic growth. Specifically, boards can now use bond proceeds or other funds to construct, improve, or lease facilities for industrial, commercial, or residential use, provided they align with public purposes like job creation or eliminating blighted properties. The bill applies to both existing and newly formed boards in Class 2 municipalities, effective October 1, 2026.
SB 279 expands Alabama's general contractor licensing exemptions to include specific maintenance services. It adds painting, janitorial, floor waxing, pressure washing, security system maintenance, lighting/filter replacement, and maintenance of existing plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems to the list of services that do not require a general contractor license. This change directly affects small businesses and contractors providing these routine maintenance services, allowing them to operate without obtaining a general contractor license. The bill amends Alabama Code Section 34-8-7 to include these new exemptions, effective October 1, 2026.
HB 511 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Alabama public K-12 schools to begin each school day with the Pledge of Allegiance and an optional prayer (which students may choose not to participate in). Local school boards would need to adopt policies enabling this daily practice, with prayers permitted as prerecorded, live, or broadcasted but never mandatory. Schools or boards persistently refusing to comply after investigation could face a 25% reduction in state education funding, with further cuts possible through legislative action. This amendment requires voter approval to become part of Alabama's constitution.
HB 502 allows the City of Prichard in Mobile County to clear ownership of abandoned tax-sale properties it purchased from the state land commissioner through an expedited court process. The city must make a good-faith effort to identify owners (using deeds, tax records, and property signs) and notify them before filing a single court petition. If owners can't be found, the city may use newspaper publication for notice. The circuit court must schedule a hearing within 90 days, and a court ruling may extinguish all ownership claims, giving the city clear title to the properties. This applies only to Prichard's properties acquired under Alabama's tax sale laws.
HB 169 changes the governing board of Alabama's Department of Archives and History from 12 to 17 members. It establishes new appointment rules requiring one member per congressional district and nine at-large members, with specific start dates for terms (2025-2030). The bill requires appointing authorities to consider racial, gender, geographic, and economic diversity when filling seats and applies these changes retroactively to current board members. The department's core functions and operations remain unaffected by this structural change.
HB 98 establishes the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers' Family Scholarship Program, providing tuition and required educational expenses for dependents (children under 27 or spouses) of qualifying law enforcement officers who served full-time for at least seven years in Alabama. The scholarship covers up to $3,000 per academic period (semester/quarter) for undergraduate programs at participating Alabama public or private colleges, technical schools, or universities, after other financial aid is applied. Funding comes from an annual state appropriation (capped at $10 million) and proceeds from a special "blackout" license plate program. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education administers the program, requiring applicants to submit documentation proving eligibility and maintaining academic progress. The bill is pending committee review in the Alabama House of Representatives.
SB 143 removes the expiration date (August 31, 2028) for three assessments on nursing home beds in Alabama, making them permanent. These include a supplemental privilege assessment, a secondary supplemental privilege assessment, and a monthly surcharge per bed. The bill ensures nursing facilities will continue paying these costs, and they remain fully included in Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes. This directly affects all Alabama nursing facilities participating in Medicaid, as their reimbursement rates will continue to account for these assessments.
SB 145 removes the expiration date for a 6% tax that privately operated hospitals in Alabama pay on net patient revenue. This tax currently funds Medicaid payments to hospitals and was scheduled to end on September 30, 2028. The bill makes the tax permanent, ensuring ongoing funding for Medicaid hospital payments without a set termination date. It directly affects private hospitals, which will continue paying this assessment to support Medicaid program financing.
HB 267 revises three specific provisions related to Alabama's forestry operations. It updates the benefits and compensation structure for the State Forester, modifies the process for obtaining burn permits (used by landowners and managers for controlled burns), and adjusts penalties for violations of forestry regulations. These changes directly affect the State Forester's role, landowners conducting prescribed burns, and individuals or entities operating under forestry rules. The bill focuses on procedural updates to existing statutes without creating new programs or funding. (Note: This bill is pending committee action as of the provided dates and has not yet been enacted.)
