HB 660 creates the Beginning Farmer and Succession Continuity Act to help new farmers in Alabama acquire land by offering financial incentives and support. The bill provides a refundable income tax credit of up to $200,000 to landowners who sell or lease farmland to qualified beginning farmers, provided the land remains in agricultural use for five years. It also establishes a state-backed loan guarantee program covering up to 75% of eligible loans and sets up an online registry to connect retiring farmers with newcomers. Additionally, the act creates a dedicated assistance fund, requires annual reporting on program outcomes, and includes audit provisions to ensure compliance with eligibility rules.
This bill requires boards of water and sewer commissioners in counties containing a Class 2 municipality to obtain approval from all local governments with jurisdiction before selling or developing real property they own. The legislation mandates that these local governments must hold a public hearing and provide notice before granting or denying such approval. Additionally, the bill includes minor technical updates to modernize the language of the existing code without changing its core meaning. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026, if passed.
This bill changes how Alabama taxes consumable vapor products by calculating the excise tax based on the nicotine content rather than just the volume of liquid. Under the new rules, products with more than six milligrams of nicotine per milliliter will be taxed at ten cents per milliliter, while those with six milligrams or less will be taxed at five cents per milliliter. Additionally, the legislation mandates that all vapor product labels clearly state the amount of nicotine and the total liquid volume. Manufacturers and retailers who fail to include this required information on their products face civil penalties, with fines ranging from $1,000 for a first offense to permit revocation for repeated violations. The changes are scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026.
This bill designates April 2, 2026, as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Day in Alabama to honor the organization's history and community service. It recognizes the sorority's founding in 1913 and highlights the significant presence of its over 3,500 members across 41 chapters in the state. The resolution specifically acknowledges the group's annual gathering at the Alabama State Capitol where members advocate for public policy issues. This measure serves as a formal commendation of the sorority's contributions rather than establishing new laws or regulations.
This bill, known as the Bill of Rights in the Classroom Act, requires Alabama public schools to display the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution in every classroom and on local school district websites. The State Department of Education must create a standardized version of these amendments by January 2027, ensuring the text is presented without any commentary or interpretation. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, parents can report if a school fails to comply with these display requirements, and they may seek legal action if the issue is not resolved within 30 days. The law also allows courts to award attorney fees to parents who successfully enforce these provisions.
This bill designates April 2, 2026, as Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Day at the Alabama Capitol to honor the organization's contributions to the state. It recognizes the sorority's history, founded in 1922, and its ongoing work in scholarship, service, and community support through programs like scholarships and youth development. The resolution expresses appreciation for the sorority's impact on residents of Alabama and its commitment to equity and civic responsibility.
This bill authorizes law enforcement officers in Crenshaw County to take individuals with mental illness into protective custody when they pose an immediate danger to themselves or others. The officer must transport the person to a hospital or treatment facility for evaluation, and if the individual does not consent, reasonable force may be used. The person must be released within 72 hours unless a judge orders further treatment, and the custody is not considered an arrest or criminal charge. Law enforcement officers and medical providers acting in good faith under this bill receive immunity from civil liability.
This bill creates a First Responder Benefits Task Force in Alabama to study and recommend solutions for protecting retirement benefits when first responders are injured or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The task force will consist of 14 members, including two state legislators from each party, representatives from various law enforcement and fire organizations, and officials from the Retirement Systems of Alabama. The group is required to hold meetings, elect leadership, and submit a final report with findings and legislative recommendations by November 1, 2026, after which it will be dissolved.
This bill prohibits individuals from carrying firearms in specific Alabama municipalities without a valid form of identification. It applies only to Class 1 municipalities and Class 3 municipalities organized under Act 618, requiring people to produce ID when asked by law enforcement. The law allows individuals to avoid penalties if they can verify their identity to an officer even without physical ID, and courts must dismiss charges and expunge records if valid ID is later produced. Violations would result in a Class C misdemeanor charge. The bill would take effect on October 1, 2026.
This bill removes an exemption from the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act that currently allows hunting and fishing seasons and bag or creel limits to be set without following standard rule-making procedures. By reclassifying these decisions as formal rules, the bill requires the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to follow the same public notice, comment, and review processes used for other agency regulations. The change directly affects the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which would need to publish proposed seasons and limits for public input before finalizing them. The legislation also includes minor technical updates to the state code to align with current language standards.
This bill is a commendation resolution honoring Molly Meadows, the Chairman of the Board of Registrars in Houston County, Alabama, on the occasion of her retirement. It recognizes her nearly four decades of service to the county, particularly her work maintaining voter registration integrity and promoting voting access. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions to public service and community involvement, noting her personal history and family details as part of the tribute. This type of bill does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly recognize an individual's long-term dedication to their role.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Madison 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 at the rate before the exemption is claimed, protecting owners from future property value increases while still applying any new millage rates to the frozen value. To qualify, homeowners must have lived in the property as their main residence for at least five years before applying, and they must submit a written request to the county revenue commissioner between October 1 and December 31. The exemption can be claimed starting October 1, 2027, and would continue as long as the property remains the owner's primary residence. This change would require voter approval through a special election to amend the state constitution.
