This bill is a commendation resolution honoring Houston County Schools for their outstanding achievements in education. It recognizes specific awards won by school staff at the Alabama Council of Administrators of Special Education conference, including Director of the Year for Dr. Misty Freeman and Teacher of the Year honors for Margaret Valenza and Haden Brown. The resolution also acknowledges the district receiving the Top County System Performance Award for ranking first among all 67 Alabama counties on achievement scores. This legislative action serves as an official expression of appreciation from the Alabama Legislature for the district's performance and does not create new laws or funding.
This bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally commends Representative Terri Collins for her 16-year career in the Alabama House of Representatives. The resolution acknowledges her legislative achievements, including sponsoring significant bills on education, healthcare, and workforce development, as well as her service on various state and national committees. It recognizes her contributions to her district and the state before she announces she will not seek reelection. The bill does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official expression of gratitude from the legislature for her service.
This bill extends the timeline for a study commission that was originally created to examine ways to improve after-school and summer educational programs for students. The commission, which was set to dissolve in 2026, will now continue its work until November 1, 2026, to develop recommendations for enhancing these educational opportunities. The legislation requires the commission to submit its final report to the state legislature by the new deadline and mandates that the commission notify the Secretary of State about its meetings and final documents. This procedural measure does not change any existing programs but allows the study group more time to complete its analysis before the commission is officially dissolved.
This bill modifies Alabama's economic development laws to allow Major 21st Century Manufacturing Zones to be established within existing tax increment districts regardless of the district's size. It permits public entities to use ad valorem tax revenues collected within these districts to reimburse costs for acquiring land before the tax increment district was created. The legislation also includes technical updates to align the code with current language standards. These changes directly affect local governments, public entities, and developers involved in manufacturing projects and economic revitalization efforts.
This bill authorizes the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office to use credit or debit cards for approved purchases of property and services. It requires the sheriff to establish written policies that set spending limits, ensure secure card access, maintain purchase records, and review monthly bills for accuracy and timely payment. The sheriff must also select a card provider based on fees, rewards, and penalties, with any rewards earned deposited into the office's discretionary fund. The law explicitly states that this authorization does not allow the sheriff to spend more money than legally appropriated or create county debt.
This bill establishes a new 4% lodging tax in Washington County, Alabama, that applies to hotels, motels, inns, and other businesses renting rooms to transient guests. The tax covers the cost of the room and any personal property or services included in the charge, but excludes items already taxed under state law and rentals lasting 30 continuous days or more. Revenue collected from this tax will be deposited into the Washington County General Fund, and the county commission will be responsible for administering and enforcing the tax. The legislation takes effect on September 1, 2026.
This bill establishes female genital mutilation as a criminal offense in Alabama, targeting individuals who perform or authorize the procedure on girls under 19 years of age. The law defines the crime to include various procedures such as cutting, excising, or burning genital tissue for nonmedical purposes and imposes Class B felony penalties on those who commit the act, allow it to happen under their custody, or remove a girl from the state for this purpose. The legislation explicitly states that religious or cultural beliefs do not provide a legal defense and that minors cannot consent to the procedure, while allowing exceptions only for medically necessary procedures performed by licensed physicians. The bill does not change medical liability standards and will take effect on June 1, 2026.
This bill would allow municipal police officers in Alabama to enforce speed limits in areas they have jurisdiction over, even if those areas are outside the city's official borders. Currently, local police can only enforce speed limits within the corporate limits of their municipality, but this change would extend their authority to cover the broader police jurisdiction. The law would not alter existing speed limit numbers or enforcement procedures, only expanding the geographic area where local officers have the power to enforce them. This change affects municipalities that have police jurisdiction extending beyond their city limits, giving them more flexibility in managing traffic safety in surrounding areas.
This bill designates May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in Alabama to raise public awareness about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a progressive and fatal disease affecting motor neurons. The legislation formally recognizes the severe impact of ALS on patients and their families, noting the lack of a cure and the increased risk for military veterans. By declaring this awareness month, the bill encourages state residents to support research and acknowledge the challenges faced by those living with the disease.
This bill establishes a Study Commission on Carbon Dioxide Storage Facility Fees to examine how Alabama should set fees for underground carbon dioxide storage facilities. The commission will include representatives from the state legislature, executive branch, energy industry, and environmental groups, with an initial meeting scheduled for July 2026. Its primary task is to review how other states handle storage fees and determine what fee levels would balance economic competitiveness with environmental protection. The commission must submit a final report with findings and legislative recommendations to the Alabama Legislature by November 2026 before dissolving.
This bill exempts individuals with permanent military, veteran, or Gold Star family status from having to recertify their eligibility every five years to keep distinctive license plates. Currently, Alabama law requires these individuals to renew their qualification periodically, but this change would remove that requirement for those whose status is permanent. The legislation applies only to the recertification process and does not alter the design, fees, or availability of the plates themselves. It aims to reduce administrative burdens for eligible veterans and families while maintaining the existing system for obtaining these special plates.
HB 374 sets a fixed annual salary of $153,725 for Montgomery County's judge of probate, effective October 1, 2026, replacing the previous formula-based compensation. Currently, the judge earns $88,000 annually (since 1996), with raises tied to county employee increases (capped at $3,000 yearly). The bill eliminates this adjustment mechanism, establishing a single, fixed amount instead. This directly affects the Montgomery County judge of probate, who will receive this new salary starting in 2026. The change is not tied to inflation or county budgets but is a specific, predetermined amount.
