This bill would allow cash transactions in Alabama to be rounded to the nearest five cents, affecting businesses and consumers who use cash for purchases. The rounding follows specific rules based on the final digit of the transaction amount, with no changes to sales prices, taxes, or fees. The law applies only to in-person cash payments and excludes transactions involving cards, checks, or payments to government agencies. If a transaction uses both cash and another payment method, rounding would apply only to the cash portion.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Henry County to collect a temporary property tax to fund public school projects in the city of Headland. The tax would apply only to taxable property located south of Sandy Creek and would be set at a rate of three mills per dollar of assessed value. Revenue from the tax would be restricted exclusively to public school purposes for Headland projects and would be collected from October 1, 2027, through September 30, 2034. The amendment requires voter approval through a special election before it can take effect.
This bill proposes naming both bridges on Interstate 22 that cross Mulberry Fork in Walker County, Alabama, as the Senator Greg Reed Bridge to honor the former state senator. The legislation would direct the Alabama Department of Transportation to coordinate with local officials to designate the bridges and install appropriate signage. The bill highlights Senator Reed's long service in the Alabama Senate, his leadership roles, and his contributions to workforce development and rural enhancement. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as a commemorative resolution to recognize his legacy.
This bill is a joint resolution that formally honors Sue Thompson, a pioneering attorney and the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Alabama School of Law. The measure commends her historic achievements and recognizes the unveiling of her portrait at the law school as a tribute to her contributions to diversity and justice. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of her legacy and impact on the legal profession.
This bill authorizes Autauga County, Alabama to collect two new taxes starting September 1, 2026, which will directly affect businesses and individuals operating in the county. The first provision adds a half of one percent sales and use tax on business activities, while the second establishes a three percent rental tax on leases of tangible personal property. All tax revenue collected under these provisions will go into the county general fund to support local government operations. The bill requires the county commission to create rules for collecting and administering the rental tax, following existing state procedures for the sales tax.
SB 246 protects Alabama homeowners from unsolicited real estate offers by requiring sellers to include specific disclosures in written purchase proposals and allowing owners to opt out of further solicitations. The bill treats these unsolicited investment-oriented real estate offers as deceptive trade practices, giving homeowners the right to cancel certain contracts and mandating clear written notices about the nature of the offer. It authorizes the Alabama Securities Commission to investigate violations, enforce rules, and impose civil fines for both unsolicited real estate solicitations and unfair service agreements. This directly affects homeowners receiving such offers, particularly those who may face misleading or predatory practices from real estate investors.
SB 263 establishes a new crime for abandoning animals in Alabama, defined as intentionally leaving an animal without care (risking injury, starvation, or death). It creates misdemeanor penalties for first offenses (Class A), escalating to felony charges (Class D) for repeat violations, animal injury/death, or abandoning five or more animals. Law enforcement can seize abandoned animals or order owners to provide care, with courts required to hold a hearing within 20 days to determine if the owner can safely regain custody. If the owner is unfit, the court may order euthanasia, transfer to a shelter, require payment for care costs, or impose a five-year ban on owning animals. The bill excludes lawful hunting, farming practices, veterinary care, and pest control from its provisions.
HB 425 exempts Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc. from paying state sales and use taxes for three years, from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029. It also allows local counties and municipalities to optionally grant the same exemption for local sales and use taxes if they approve it under existing rules. The bill directly affects only this specific nonprofit organization, providing targeted tax relief for a limited period. This is a narrow, entity-specific exemption rather than a broad tax policy change. The exemption would take effect on September 1, 2026, and expires after the three-year period.
SB 308 creates the Office of Risk and Resilience within Alabama's Department of Insurance and transfers the Strengthen Alabama Homes Program to this new office. The program helps homeowners retrofit homes to resist hurricane, tornado, or catastrophic windstorm damage by providing grants or funding for eligible projects, subject to local building codes and inspections. It relies on annual state appropriations, federal grants, or other funding sources - **not guaranteed state funding** - and requires all projects to secure necessary permits and undergo random reinspection. The bill does not create a state obligation to fund the program or guarantee assistance to property owners.
HB 444 requires restaurants and food service establishments in Alabama to clearly disclose the country of origin for imported seafood (like fish, shrimp, crab, and lobster) using specific methods: labels on packaging, menu notations, or conspicuous signs at entrances. The Agriculture Commissioner gains authority to test seafood for compliance and report violations to the State Health Officer, who enforces penalties. Violations incur escalating fines ($100 for second offense, up to $1,000 for fifth offense) after a written warning, though unintentional errors due to supplier information are exempt. The bill updates existing labeling rules (amending Code Sections 22-20A-3, 5, 7, and 8) to standardize disclosure requirements and enforcement.
SB 303 protects county officials from legal liability when enforcing off-road vehicle operation rules on public roads. Specifically, it shields county engineers, governing bodies, probate judges, licensing officials, and their employees from lawsuits related to these regulations. The bill modifies liability protections under Alabama law for these officials. It does not change the actual requirements for off-road vehicle use but ensures officials cannot be sued for enforcing them. This is a procedural liability shield, not a policy change to vehicle operation rules.
SB 329 authorizes Alabama to issue "Invisible Disability" license plate decals to residents diagnosed with specific invisible disabilities (such as autism, PTSD, diabetes, or cognitive disabilities) or their primary caregivers. To qualify, applicants must provide a physician's diagnosis, pay standard registration fees, and submit a formal application. The decal is separate from existing disability parking permits and does not grant special parking access, as clarified in the bill. This policy, effective January 1, 2027, aims to provide a visible identifier for individuals with conditions that may affect communication with first responders.
