Alabama Bills

This bill is a Senate Joint Resolution that formally congratulates the Alabama State Chiropractic Association on its 100th anniversary. It recognizes the organization's century of service to Alabama residents and its role in advancing chiropractic care standards. The resolution expresses appreciation for the association's work in promoting patient access to noninvasive health care and does not create any new laws or policy changes. It is a ceremonial measure intended to honor the organization's leadership and contributions to the state's healthcare community.

SB 269 regulates how health insurers pay for ground ambulance services in Alabama. It prohibits surprise billing by requiring insurers to pay providers a set minimum rate (200% of Medicare’s ambulance rate for in-network services, 180% for out-of-network) as full payment, meaning patients can only be charged their standard in-network copay or deductible. Ambulance providers and insurers must report financial data to the Alabama Department of Public Health, and an independent expert will study the law’s impact on access to ambulance services. The law expires on June 1, 2029. It directly affects emergency medical service providers and patients covered by health insurance plans.

HB 514 increases the annual compensation for the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff by $36,000 starting June 1, 2026. This additional expense allowance, paid monthly from the county general fund, is in addition to all existing pay and counts toward retirement contributions. The change applies only until the next vacancy in the sheriff's office, after which the provision expires. The bill directly affects the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff and their retirement benefits, with no broader policy implications.

HB 466 adds Parkinson's disease to the list of occupational diseases eligible for compensation for Alabama firefighters who develop it during service. To qualify, firefighters must prove they were exposed to a known toxin linked to Parkinson's while employed, after which the disease is presumed work-related. The bill updates existing law (Sections 11-43-144, 36-30-40, and 36-30-41 of the Alabama Code) to include this requirement for both city and state firefighters. It removes outdated language while ensuring benefits for Parkinson's-related disability or death, aligning with similar provisions for cancer, HIV, and other conditions.

Alabama's SB 163 would adopt the Esthetics Licensure Compact, allowing estheticians licensed in Alabama to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This compact directly affects licensed estheticians, particularly military members and their spouses who relocate frequently, by creating a multistate license valid in all participating states. Key provisions establish uniform licensing requirements, enable states to share disciplinary information, and require background checks to maintain public safety standards. The bill aims to reduce licensing barriers while ensuring consistent professional practice and safety across state lines.

HB 259 requires any entity issuing "payment stablecoins" (digital currencies designed to maintain stable value for payments) in Alabama to obtain a license from the Alabama Securities Commission. It prohibits unlicensed issuance or sale of such stablecoins starting in 2028, directly affecting stablecoin issuers and government contractors who may receive payments in these tokens. The bill authorizes Alabama state and local agencies to use licensed stablecoins for paying vendors and contractors for goods/services, mandating clear disclosures to vendors before contracts involving stablecoin payments are signed. Violations could trigger civil or criminal penalties, and the Commission will enforce the law while aligning with federal regulations under the GENIUS Act.

This bill updates the compensation structure for the Henry County Sheriff, directly affecting the county's law enforcement leadership. Starting June 1, 2026, the sheriff will receive an additional allowance to bring total compensation to $94,000 annually, which will later become the base salary starting January 18, 2027. The legislation also grants an automatic eight percent salary increase for each term after the first for successive terms, while repealing the previous compensation law. The sheriff will receive benefits similar to other county commission employees but will not be eligible for certain state-level compensation increases.

This bill proposes adding a constitutional amendment to allow Perry County residents aged 65 or older to claim a senior property tax exemption on their primary homes. The exemption would freeze the assessed value of the property for tax purposes, protecting owners from future property value increases while they continue to live there. To qualify, homeowners must have lived in the property as their main residence for at least five years before the tax year they first claim the exemption, and they must apply in writing between October 1 and December 31. The exemption applies only to single-family owner-occupied homes and does not prevent the property from being subject to regular millage rate changes or taxes on any new additions made after claiming the exemption.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment for Macon County that would raise the maximum age limit for serving as judge of probate from the current standard to 75 years old. The change would apply to both individuals running for election and those being appointed to the position, allowing anyone who is 75 or younger at the time of qualification or appointment to hold the office. If approved by voters, the amendment would update the state constitution to reflect this new age requirement specifically for Macon County. The bill requires a special election where voters would decide whether to adopt this change to local election rules.

HB 475 requires Alabama's Public Service Commission to hold annual public meetings with utility representatives to discuss rates, infrastructure, and regulatory issues, with notice complying with open meetings laws. It prohibits electric utilities from including costs for grants, lobbying, or advertising in rate calculations for customer charges. Utilities must affirm in filings that they excluded these costs, and failure to do so voids the proposed rate change. The bill directly affects electric utilities and the Public Service Commission, aiming to increase transparency in rate-setting and prevent customers from paying for non-regulatory expenses.

This special order calendar designates a specific sequence of legislative business to take precedence over regular proceedings for the twenty-seventh legislative day in Alabama. The resolution lists various bills related to education funding, teacher salaries, university appropriations, and opioid treatment funds that must be addressed first. By establishing this priority list, the Senate ensures these specific items are considered before any other pending or unfinished business.

This bill amends several rules of the Alabama Senate to update procedures for daily operations, bill management, and member access. It clarifies who presides over sessions when the Senate President is absent and restricts who can enter the chamber during legislative sessions. The text also adjusts timelines for introducing bills, outlines specific motions allowed during debates, and defines how amendments are processed before final passage. Additionally, the bill grants the President Pro Tempore additional voting rights on standing committees and allows them to designate the Majority Leader to act in their stead. These changes aim to streamline the legislative workflow and define the roles of various Senate officers more clearly.