HB 487 revises the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program, which provides tuition assistance. The bill establishes a pilot program to admit additional dependents of veterans into the scholarship program. This is achieved by adding Section 31-6-11.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, which appears to include revisions to the disability requirements for eligibility.
SB 51 regulates how health insurers reimburse emergency ground ambulance services in Alabama, aiming to protect individuals covered by health plans. It establishes minimum reimbursement rates for both in-network and out-of-network providers, using a percentage of the Medicare rate as a benchmark. A key provision prohibits "surprise billing" by ensuring that the combined payment from the insurer and the enrollee's standard in-network cost-sharing is considered payment in full, preventing providers from billing patients for additional amounts. The bill also requires ambulance providers to submit annual financial reports and mandates a study on its effects on service access before its scheduled repeal in 2029.
HB 283, known as the "Alabama Personal Data Protection Act," grants consumers new rights over their personal data collected online. It allows consumers to confirm if their data is being processed by an entity, correct inaccuracies, request deletion, obtain a copy of their data, and opt out of its processing. The bill requires entities that control personal data ("controllers") to establish secure methods for consumers to exercise these rights and also regulates the manner in which both personal and deidentified data can be processed.
SB 190 requires health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screenings for certain groups of men. Specifically, it mandates coverage for African American men and men with a first-degree relative who had prostate cancer, starting at age 40. The bill also requires coverage for all men over 50 years of age. For both these high-risk men over 40 and all men over 50, these screenings must be provided without deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing requirements.
HR 271 is a commemorative resolution that mourns the untimely death of Travis Javon "Wooty" Jackson of Montgomery, Alabama. The resolution honors his life as a husband, father, and businessman, and extends profound sympathy to his family, friends, and community.
House Resolution 272 declares April 22, 2025, as "Alabama Links Day at the Capitol." This resolution recognizes the Alabama Chapters of The Links, Incorporated, a volunteer service organization, and their advocacy efforts on various community issues.
SR 77 is a procedural resolution that establishes a special order of business for the twenty-fourth legislative day in the Senate. It dictates that specific legislative activities, such as the introduction of bills, committee reports, and particular bills like SB322 and SB278, will take precedence over the regular order of business for that day.
House Bill 545 establishes specific fees for various services provided by the Judge of Probate in Escambia County. This bill directly affects residents of Escambia County who utilize probate court services such as probating a will, estate administration, name changes, guardianships, and adoptions. For example, it sets a fee of $105 for the probate of a will and $145 for guardianship services. These new fees will replace the general law fees for the listed services, while other services will continue to follow existing general law fee schedules. The changes are scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025.
HB 178 requires public K-12 schools in Alabama to display the Ten Commandments in common areas and U.S. history classrooms, starting January 1, 2026. Each display must also include a statement of context and excerpts from certain foundational U.S. historical documents. Local boards of education are not mandated to use their own funds for these displays, as compliance is contingent on the availability of donated funds or materials. The State Department of Education is responsible for identifying and publicizing free resources to assist schools in meeting this requirement.
This bill establishes a new county excise tax in Covington County on the retail sale of vapor products, vaping devices, alternative nicotine products, and psychoactive cannabinoids. The tax rate is set at 5% of the gross proceeds from sales of these products. Businesses selling these items are required to collect the tax from purchasers, and failure to do so or advertising tax absorption can result in a civil penalty of at least $250. All funds collected from this tax and any associated penalties will be deposited into the Covington County general fund. This act is scheduled to become effective on October 1, 2025.
HB 440 amends the law governing fire service fees in Mobile County, Alabama, primarily by expanding the definition of "residence" for fee collection. This bill directly affects property owners in the county by extending the requirement to pay these fees to owners of house trailers, manufactured homes, and lots in residential parks used for motor homes or recreational vehicles as dwellings. These fees are levied to support the establishment and maintenance of firefighting districts. The bill also includes some nonsubstantive updates to the code language.
HB 351 authorizes the Choctaw County Commission to increase the ad valorem (property) tax rate by an additional five mills on taxable property for five-year periods. This additional tax revenue would be used exclusively for county public roads and bridges in Choctaw County. The measure requires approval by a majority of qualified voters in a county-wide referendum, which would also approve specific road and bridge projects to be funded. The bill allows the county to issue warrants to finance these projects, using the new tax revenue for repayment. This bill directly affects property owners in Choctaw County, potentially increasing their taxes to fund local infrastructure improvements.
