HB 395 clarifies how the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board calculates mark-up fees on wholesale liquor sales. It specifies that the "cost of merchandise" used to determine the fee (capped at 16.99%) includes only the amount the Board pays for liquor cases, excluding other costs. This directly affects liquor wholesalers who pay this fee on case lot purchases. The bill makes minor technical updates to the code language but does not change the existing fee cap or other provisions. The bill is pending in the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee and would take effect October 1, 2026.
SB 255 exempts qualified nonprofit organizations (those using property for religious, educational, or charitable purposes) from proving property tax payments when filing a quiet title action in Alabama. This bill amends existing law to remove a requirement that nonprofits could not meet, as they typically don't pay ad valorem taxes on their properties. The change directly affects nonprofits seeking to legally establish ownership of property they use for exempt purposes. The bill makes this exemption explicit in the quiet title code while updating technical language to current style.
SB 247 allows nonprofit health care service corporations in Alabama to reorganize under a nonprofit holding company, creating a new structural framework without altering their core legal identity. The bill restricts the holding company (and its affiliates) from controlling hospitals, insurance companies, or other health care providers - except for foreign acquisitions that commit to divesting Alabama health care assets within two years. It also requires public notice and a 30-day comment period for transactions exceeding 5% of the health care service corporation’s assets. These provisions aim to balance organizational flexibility with regulatory oversight in Alabama’s health care sector.
HB 508 proposes repealing a specific constitutional requirement in Alabama that currently mandates voter approval for municipalities outside Etowah County to annex territory within Etowah County before January 1, 1986. If passed, this change would remove the need for a local election to approve such annexations, directly affecting municipalities seeking to expand into Etowah County territory. The bill targets Section 28-11.20 of Alabama’s Constitution, which created this voter approval process for pre-1986 annexations. This is a substantive policy change to streamline annexation procedures for affected municipalities.
SB 330 authorizes Alabama law enforcement officers to swear to and issue citations for misdemeanors, traffic violations, and municipal offenses remotely using digital, video, or telephone methods, instead of requiring in-person appearances before judges or magistrates. It allows judges/magistrates to issue warrants for these offenses remotely and permits officers to administer oaths to other officers for citation purposes via approved electronic means. The bill directly affects law enforcement officers, judicial personnel, and individuals cited for non-felony violations. Key provisions eliminate the physical presence requirement for swearing citations and issuing warrants, using "reliable electronic means" as defined in the bill. It takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 332 would add Parkinson's disease to Alabama's list of occupational diseases eligible for disability and death benefits for firefighters. It requires firefighters to demonstrate exposure to a known toxin linked to Parkinson's during their service to qualify for benefits, creating a presumption that the disease is work-related in such cases. This change directly affects Alabama firefighters who develop Parkinson's disease while serving, allowing them to seek compensation similar to other covered occupational illnesses. The bill updates existing statutes to include this provision while removing redundant language.
HB 105 updates Alabama laws against child enticement and electronic solicitation. It expands the definition of "enticing" to include "grooming" (building emotional connections through manipulation, gift-giving, or online interactions) when targeting children under 16 for sexual acts, genital mutilation, or assault. The bill also broadens electronic solicitation to cover attempts to direct children into sexual acts or genital mutilation via digital means, and clarifies jurisdiction for such crimes to include any county where images were received or parties resided. These changes apply to individuals who target children under 16 or those believed to be that age.
SB 75 modifies Alabama's public works law to allow government agencies to bypass standard competitive bidding requirements when purchasing materials or equipment through approved cooperative purchasing agreements. This change directly affects state, county, and municipal agencies that typically need to bid contracts exceeding $100,000 for public works projects. The bill expands an existing exception (previously limited to HVAC systems) to cover all materials and equipment bought via cooperative agreements that meet state regulatory standards. This streamlines procurement by letting agencies use pre-negotiated group purchasing deals without public bidding, while maintaining oversight through the Department of Finance's centralized website for notice requirements.
HB 216 would require Alabama public schools to display the Ten Commandments alongside a context statement in history classrooms (grades 5-12) and common areas of schools serving grades 5 and above, but only if donated displays or funds are available. The bill mandates the State Department of Education to identify free resources to help schools comply with this requirement. It does not create a state-funded mandate and is currently pending committee review in the Alabama House of Representatives as of January 2026. The legislation cites historical references to religious elements in founding documents as justification, but the policy focuses solely on display requirements subject to donations.
This bill allows Alabama counties and municipalities to unilaterally withdraw from multijurisdiction authorities (entities serving multiple local governments) if those authorities have no outstanding debt. After withdrawal, local governments can establish successor entities to handle similar functions, control the use of funds previously distributed from their territory, and adjust local tax rates by up to two percentage points. The bill requires multijurisdiction authorities to return a proportional share of their available funds to withdrawing entities based on prior contributions. These changes aim to increase local control over shared fiscal responsibilities and service delivery.
HB 148 proposes a constitutional amendment to the Alabama Constitution, adding a fundamental right for parents to direct their children's education, upbringing, care, custody, and control. This would require any government action that restricts these parental rights to meet strict scrutiny: the government must prove the restriction serves a compelling interest and uses the least restrictive method possible. The amendment would apply broadly to all parents in Alabama, affecting how state laws or policies interact with parental decision-making. If passed, it would supersede existing statutes like the 2023 law referenced in the bill, embedding these protections directly into the state constitution. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee after being filed on January 12, 2026.
SB 212 proposes a constitutional amendment for Fayette County, Alabama, to allow residents aged 65 or older who own and live in their primary single-family home for at least five years to claim a property tax exemption. The exemption would freeze the property’s assessed value from the year before claiming it, reducing annual tax bills. To qualify, seniors must submit a written application to Fayette County’s Revenue Commissioner between October 1 and December 31, 2027, and maintain the home as their primary residence. The amendment requires voter approval to take effect and does not affect millage rates or other exemptions.
