HB 152 repeals the law that established the School of Social Work of Alabama as a two-year graduate program within the University of Alabama. It removes Section 16-47-170 and related provisions from Alabama law, which previously defined the school's structure and purpose. The repeal takes effect on October 1, 2026, but does not eliminate the school itself - only its specific legal foundation under current statutes.
HB 303 requires cryptocurrency kiosk operators in Alabama to provide clear, upfront disclosures to consumers before transactions, including costs, fees, and exchange rates, and display warnings about common fraud schemes (like impersonation scams or fake lottery offers). Operators must give consumers a physical or digital receipt for each transaction and send a digital copy to the Alabama Securities Commission. The bill also mandates refunds for fraudulently induced transactions and requires operators to establish a consumer service line and direct communication with law enforcement. Violations could trigger civil or criminal penalties.
HB 86 revises Alabama's parole guidelines to require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to give special attention to three specific factors when considering parole: an inmate's low risk of reoffending (based on a validated assessment), their employment during incarceration, and education completed while in prison. The bill also mandates that the board consider other factors in its guidelines and provide written reasons for all parole decisions. This change directly affects inmates seeking parole and the board's decision-making process, though the board retains full discretion to approve or deny parole. The revised guidelines must be reviewed every three years and posted online for public access.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow full-time mayors in Tuscaloosa County municipalities to join Alabama's Employees' Retirement System (ERS) under the same terms as other ERS participants. It directly affects mayors serving in Tuscaloosa County cities who are employed full-time in their mayoral roles. The key provision permits these mayors to participate in ERS, including purchasing service credit for prior service upon ratification. The amendment requires voter approval through a special election before becoming part of Alabama's constitution.
This bill proposes to expand the official boundaries of the City of Owens Cross Roads in Madison County, Alabama. It achieves this by adding a specific parcel of land, identified as Parcel 22-09-32-0-001-034.000, to the city's corporate limits. The legislation requires a map of the proposed changes to be available for public review at the Madison County Probate Office and sets the official effective date for the expansion as October 1, 2026.
This bill designates the State of Alabama office building at 501 Washington Avenue in Montgomery as the "Kay Ivey Office Building" to honor the state's 54th governor. The resolution requires the Alabama Building Renovation Finance Authority to officially name the building and install signage displaying Governor Ivey's name on the exterior and inside the lobby. This is a commemorative measure that does not alter any laws or policies but instead recognizes Governor Ivey's tenure through a permanent naming designation.
This bill creates the College and Higher Education Excellence and Results (CHEER) Act, which would provide bonus funding to specific Alabama higher education institutions that meet performance goals related to student outcomes. The program would establish a new fund and create a coordinating committee to set performance metrics, track student success, and distribute additional money to schools that improve in areas like student retention, degree completion, and post-graduation employment. Eligible institutions include all state universities, community colleges, and historically Black universities in Alabama, with funding bonuses tied to measurable achievements such as helping low-income students succeed and placing graduates in high-wage jobs. The bill defines various student categories and performance measures that the coordinating committee would use to evaluate institutional progress and determine bonus funding amounts.
This bill authorizes county commissions in Alabama counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico to create zoning rules for large-scale solar farms. It allows these counties to set standards for where solar farms can be built, establish permitting requirements, and determine operational conditions for these facilities in unincorporated areas. The legislation includes provisions for penalties, such as fines up to $1,000 and property liens for violations, along with an appeal process that lets affected parties challenge decisions in circuit court. Counties may also charge fees to cover administrative costs and establish exemption processes for specific cases.
SB 366 creates a Municipal Firefighters' Bill of Rights in Alabama, establishing minimum standards for how municipal fire departments handle investigations and disciplinary actions against firefighters. The bill requires that firefighters be notified of pending personnel actions that could affect their pay or status, and it sets rules for investigations including allowing firefighters to have witnesses present, recording interrogations, and prohibiting threats or promises to induce answers. Additionally, the legislation prohibits requiring firefighters to disclose personal financial information for promotions or job assignments, allows off-duty political activity, and ensures firefighters cannot be penalized for exercising these rights. The act applies to public servants whose primary duty is fighting fires and providing fire protection services to municipalities.
This bill creates a three-tier system for classifying rural areas in Alabama based on population size, density, geographic isolation, and local economic characteristics. The tiers range from remote communities with under 2,500 residents to rural-adjacent areas with up to 20,000 residents, allowing state agencies to identify specific rural conditions rather than relying solely on countywide data. State agencies may use this classification to determine eligibility for programs, prioritize funding, adjust administrative requirements, and target resources to the most underserved communities. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and applies to municipalities, unincorporated communities, and census tracts regardless of whether they are located in metropolitan counties.
This bill would replace Alabama's state licensing system for prosthetists, orthotists, and pedorthists with a national certification requirement administered by the Alabama Department of Workforce. Instead of requiring individuals and facilities to be licensed by the Alabama State Board of Prosthetists and Orthotists, the law would mandate that all providers obtain certification from a nationally recognized credentialing organization approved by the state department. Certified professionals must submit proof of their credentials annually to the department, which may charge a recording fee of up to $100 per person, with funds deposited into the state treasury. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for unlicensed practice and repeals the existing chapter of Alabama law that created the state licensing board.
This bill prohibits the construction and operation of new large-scale ground-mounted solar power facilities in Alabama for one year. It directly affects developers, investors, and utility companies planning to build these off-site solar installations. The law defines solar power facilities as ground-mounted photovoltaic panel systems designed to generate electricity for off-site use or sale to third parties. The prohibition applies only to facilities not already operating or under construction when the bill takes effect, which is set to be immediate upon enactment.
