This bill allocates up to $203 million in federal funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program to Alabama's Department of Economic and Community Affairs for fiscal year 2026. The money is divided among ten specific health initiatives focused on rural areas, including electronic health records, workforce development, maternal health, cancer care, mental health services, and emergency medical response improvements. The bill also establishes rules for carrying over unspent funds to the next fiscal year and requires state officials to obtain federal approval before reallocating money between different program categories. These provisions aim to support ongoing healthcare infrastructure and services in rural Alabama communities while maintaining compliance with federal funding requirements.
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 strengthens Alabama's Underground Damage Prevention Program by requiring utility operators to prioritize incomplete locate requests and holding them financially responsible for project delays. It mandates that operators finish any pending locate requests within 20 days before handling new ones, and imposes liability for costs if a request remains incomplete for 30 days or more. The legislation also removes the option for operators to respond to locate requests by simply providing facility descriptions or allowing record inspections, instead requiring physical marking of underground facilities. Additionally, it prohibits contract locators from closing locate requests and requires operators to verify on-site that facilities have been marked before a request can be closed. These changes directly affect utility companies, construction project owners, and design or surveying professionals who use the One-Call Notification System.
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.
This bill modifies Alabama's child-care licensing rules by removing exemptions for facilities that operate on a for-profit basis or provide 24-hour care, requiring these entities to obtain licenses regardless of their previous status. It expands the Department of Human Resources' authority to create regulations specifically governing video surveillance and data retention in child-care settings. Additionally, the bill grants law enforcement agencies the power to enter child-care facilities without notice during child abuse investigations and allows private individuals to file lawsuits against facilities that violate child-care laws.
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 260 updates Alabama's Self-Service Storage Facilities Act to modernize rental processes and notice requirements. It allows storage operators to deliver and execute rental agreements electronically, and automatically binds renters who use the space for 30 days after receiving a written agreement without signing. The bill removes the requirement for newspaper publications of sale notices, permitting operators to use any "commercially reasonable" method instead. It also sets clear timeframes for renters to remove belongings after lease termination and allows operators to dispose of unclaimed property after a specified period. These changes directly affect both storage facility operators and renters using self-storage services.
