HB 451 authorizes Montgomery County's Judge of Probate to establish procedures for using credit cards to purchase tangible goods or approved services for the Probate Court. It requires the Judge of Probate to create written policies including spending limits per transaction and monthly, secure access controls, detailed record-keeping, and monthly bill reviews to prevent unauthorized charges or fees. Any rewards or rebates earned from credit card use must be deposited into the Judge of Probate Fund. This bill directly affects Montgomery County's probate court operations, allowing streamlined purchasing while implementing strict financial safeguards. The bill became effective immediately upon enactment.
SB 241 authorizes Walker County's elected probate judge to appoint temporary lawyers from the county to handle probate court duties during periods of high caseloads, complex cases, or scheduling delays. Temporary judges can serve up to 90 days per appointment (with a yearly maximum of 200 days) and have full authority to make decisions that are legally binding like those of the elected judge. The bill specifies they must be paid $50 per hearing from the judge's discretionary funds, with no additional pay if they are already court employees. It also clarifies that the elected judge and their bond are not liable for actions taken by temporary judges during their service.
HB 413 requires Tuscaloosa County to provide the same annual longevity pay (based on years of service) to its Sheriff, Tax Assessor, and Tax Collector as all other full-time regular county employees. Starting June 1, 2026, the County Commission must set the exact amount and payment date for these officials, with payments funded from the county general fund. This bill directly affects these three specific county elected positions by aligning their compensation structure with other county staff.
SB 324 authorizes Tallapoosa County's Judge of Probate to charge a fee for remote digital access to court records (like property deeds or marriage licenses). The fee, collected from users, must be deposited into a special fund to maintain and improve the county's record-keeping systems and remote access services. The bill also retroactively confirms that any similar fees collected before this law took effect were valid. This applies only to Tallapoosa County and becomes effective June 1, 2026.
HB 521 updates Alabama's election administration rules for county board of registrars. It requires all registrar candidates to undergo criminal background checks (including fingerprinting), increases their daily pay rate to $115, and mandates state payment for registrars during county/state/federal emergencies or holiday closures when courthouses are shut. The bill also specifies that registrars must be treated as state employees for accessing emergency relief funds (like pandemic or disaster aid) and clarifies their qualification standards (e.g., high school diploma, computer skills). These changes directly affect county election officials, county commissions managing payroll, and the state treasury funding these positions.
HB 522 changes Cullman County's commission meeting schedule and structure. It requires the county commission to hold at least one meeting each month after 6:00 p.m. to improve public access, while also restructuring the commission from three members to a chair plus four associate commissioners elected by district. The bill specifies that associate commissioners must live in their districts, with staggered terms (two-year initial terms for two districts), and the chair serves full-time while associate members serve part-time. This affects all Cullman County residents who attend meetings or vote for county commissioners, effective October 1, 2026.
HB 125 lowers the minimum age for Alabama's ReEngage Alabama Grant Program from 25 to 22 years old, expanding eligibility to younger adult learners. It also creates a new eligibility path for students who previously earned an associate degree, took a two-year break from college, and are now pursuing their first bachelor's degree without having received a grant before. The bill does not change the grant amounts ($3,000 per semester for universities, $1,500 for community colleges) or other core program rules. This directly affects Alabama residents aged 22-24 who are returning to college for their first bachelor's degree after an associate degree and a two-year gap. The bill is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026.
SB 215 modifies Alabama's requirement for residential home builders to disclose liability insurance status to homeowners before construction begins. If a builder has insurance, the disclosure only needs signatures from the builder and homeowner (no witness required). If a builder lacks insurance, the disclosure must still be signed by both parties and attested by a witness. This bill directly affects home builders and homeowners in residential construction contracts across Alabama. The changes take effect on October 1, 2026.
This bill changes how Alabama courts review state agency interpretations of laws. Currently, courts may assume agency interpretations are correct, but the bill would require courts to treat reasonable agency interpretations favorably without presuming they are right. It directly affects state agencies (like environmental or health departments) and courts handling administrative law cases. The key change replaces existing language to emphasize that courts must consider the meaning and effect of agency actions without bias toward correctness, focusing instead on whether interpretations are reasonable. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee.
HB 278 makes Alabama's existing income tax credit for volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members permanent and expands it to cover three new categories: members certified at Firefighter I level, Emergency Medical Responders, and fire support persons. The credit amount varies by certification, ranging from $200 to $600 annually, depending on the specific role and training level. To qualify, members must complete 30 hours of approved annual training and submit proof through a standardized certification process to the Department of Revenue. This change applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2027, replacing the previous temporary 2023-2026 window.
HB 124 renames Alabama's AMSTEP program to the LASEA Program (Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama) and expands eligibility to include educators certified in any subject designated as having an acute shortage by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE). The bill provides standard loan assistance to educators certified in shortage subjects and adds supplemental payments for those teaching in public K-12 schools or systems identified as having acute educator shortages. ACHE, in consultation with the State Department of Education, determines which subjects and school locations qualify as "acute shortage" areas. The program aims to attract and retain teachers in high-need fields and schools through targeted financial support.
SB 185 allows transit authorities in Alabama counties with populations of 600,000 or more to join business organizations focused on transit operations, land acquisitions, and related activities. It authorizes these authorities to create subsidiaries and arrange loans for such business ventures. Crucially, the bill specifies that these business organizations cannot exercise eminent domain powers. The changes update Alabama law to better support transit authority partnerships while maintaining legal safeguards.
