Alabama Bills

HB 484 amends Alabama law to remove reservoirs defined as public waters from the list of critical infrastructure facilities. This means unauthorized entry into such reservoirs would no longer be considered a crime under the statute for unauthorized entry to critical infrastructure. The bill revises the definition of critical infrastructure facilities to explicitly exclude these reservoirs, which are already classified as public waters under state law (Section 9-11-80). This change directly affects individuals entering public water reservoirs and law enforcement in determining whether an entry violates the law.

HB 299 would update Alabama's regulations for respiratory therapists by allowing them to practice under the direction of advanced practice healthcare providers (such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants) in addition to physicians. The bill revises licensing requirements, adds a member to the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy, and creates temporary licenses for new practitioners. It also establishes criminal penalties for fraudulently obtaining a license or falsely claiming to be a licensed respiratory therapist. These changes directly affect respiratory therapists, healthcare facilities, and the state board governing the profession.

HB 102 allows surviving spouses of disabled veterans to retain a special license plate after the veteran's death. It authorizes the issuance of a new "Disabled Veteran Spouse" plate upon returning the original plate, providing proof of marriage, and paying a $5 fee. The plate remains valid for the spouse's lifetime or until remarriage, replacing the need for regular registration fees. This change directly affects spouses of veterans who previously held "Disabled Veteran" plates and updates existing code language to reflect the provision. The bill does not alter parking privileges for these plates.

SB 201 requires Alabama public schools with JROTC programs to make those programs available to homeschool and private school students who live in the school's neighborhood district and are dependents of active-duty military parents performing specific types of military service. This includes service members on federal or state orders requiring a permanent or temporary relocation (like deployments or base changes). The bill applies to students meeting standard JROTC eligibility requirements, ensuring military-connected students have access to these programs regardless of their school type. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.

HB 97 establishes the Alabama Geographic Information Executive Council and the Alabama Geographic Information Program Office (GIS Office) to coordinate the collection and management of geographic information system (GIS) data across state agencies. The bill formalizes existing structures created by executive order and requires the GIS Office - which serves as the Council's operating arm - to coordinate with the 911 Board, which maintains GIS data for emergency 911 services. This coordination aims to improve data accuracy, reduce duplication of efforts, and support public safety by aligning state GIS resources with emergency response needs. The bill amends existing law to clarify the roles of these entities and ensure consistent GIS data management for government operations and emergency services.

HB 1 would require first-time DUI offenders in Alabama to install and operate an ignition interlock device on their vehicle for six months instead of 90 days to avoid a 90-day driver's license suspension. Currently, offenders can avoid the suspension by using the device for 90 days, but this bill extends that requirement to six months. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of a first driving under the influence offense in Alabama. It amends Alabama Code Section 32-5A-191 to change the duration of the ignition interlock device requirement for first-time convictions.

This bill amends Alabama law to change how tobacco tax money is distributed to rescue squads in Baldwin County. Currently, rescue squads must be members of the Alabama Association of Rescue Squads, Inc. to receive their share of the funds, but this requirement would be removed. The change allows any recognized quasi-public rescue squad in Baldwin County to qualify for the $80,000 annual distribution without needing to join the association. Other parts of the tobacco tax proceeds remain allocated to the District Attorney's office for a sexual assault nurse examiner program and general use. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026.

This bill creates a new grant program and fund to help rural hospitals in Alabama stay open and improve their operations. It directly affects critical access hospitals, rural acute care hospitals, and other facilities designated as rural. The program provides financial assistance for immediate needs like preventing closures or fixing financial problems, as well as funding for infrastructure upgrades, telehealth expansion, and converting to rural emergency hospital designations. Hospitals must show community support and submit detailed plans before receiving grants, which are limited to one per hospital per year and must be repaid if milestones aren't met. The bill also requires annual reporting on how funds are used and how hospital services and finances perform.

This bill establishes the Rural Behavioral and Mental Health Access Act to improve mental health and substance use treatment services in Alabama's rural areas, which are defined as regions outside incorporated cities with populations over 25,000. The legislation creates a dedicated state fund to finance construction and staffing of rural treatment facilities, provides grants for telehealth equipment and broadband infrastructure, and offers financial incentives like scholarships and loan repayment for behavioral health professionals who work in rural communities. Additionally, the bill requires the Alabama Department of Mental Health to fund primary care practices that integrate behavioral health services through hiring mental health professionals and implementing collaborative care models. The program is designed to expand access to care by supporting new clinics, improving telehealth capabilities, and building a stronger rural mental health workforce, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

This bill requires Alabama's Department of Workforce to create several programs aimed at supporting skilled trade training, primarily for rural residents and employers. It would provide full tuition coverage for rural students in high-need trade programs, offer grants to rural employers who sponsor apprenticeships, and give stipends to trainees for purchasing tools or commuting costs. The legislation also establishes a statewide outreach campaign to promote trade careers and creates a system to recognize prior work experience and military training toward trade certifications. These programs would be funded through the state's general fund, subject to legislative appropriation, and would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This bill creates the Rural Emergency Medical Services Support Act to provide financial assistance to emergency medical service providers in Alabama's rural and frontier areas. The legislation establishes a grant program that can cover operational expenses like vehicle maintenance, fuel, insurance, and administrative costs, with priority given to providers serving areas with service gaps. It also funds scholarships and training for rural students entering EMS careers, supports volunteer tuition, and requires clinical placements and cultural competency training. Additionally, the bill authorizes up to 10 pilot programs for community paramedicine services such as chronic disease monitoring and post-discharge follow-up, while requiring the state to conduct biennial assessments of rural EMS needs and response times.

This bill allows experienced teachers from accredited private schools to receive a starting salary increase when they transfer to public schools in Alabama. To qualify, teachers must have at least five years of full-time teaching experience at a private school, with salary adjustments ranging from 2.5 to 10 years based on their private school service. The adjustment applies beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, though those who transferred between 2022 and 2026 can still claim it by submitting documentation during that school year. Years of private school service counted toward this salary adjustment cannot be used for retirement purposes.