SB 251 updates Alabama's tax abatement and incentive programs by removing outdated references to the 2012 *Accelerate Alabama Strategic Economic Development Plan* and replacing them with current terminology from the *Alabama Jobs Act*. It also aligns the industry classification system (NAICS codes) used to determine eligibility for these programs with the latest 2022 version, affecting businesses seeking tax benefits. The bill makes technical revisions to existing tax code language to reflect these updates, without creating new programs or changing eligibility criteria. This is a procedural update to ensure state tax law references remain current and accurate for businesses and local governments administering these programs.
SB 105 requires all Alabama counties and municipalities to publish their annual financial statements, audits, monthly expenditures, and budgets online by September 30 each year. These documents must be posted in a prominent location on the local government's official website, or on the website of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama or Alabama League of Municipalities if no official site exists. The bill mandates this transparency measure to make local government finances more accessible to residents. It will take effect on October 1, 2028.
HB 159 allows circuit clerks in Alabama who independently qualify for both a supernumerary program and the Employees' Retirement System to participate in both, provided they use separate work periods for each. Currently, state law prevents circuit clerks from using the same service years for both programs. The bill amends retirement law to permit dual participation when service years are distinct. It will take effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 182 requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to accept military education, training, and experience as credit toward emergency medical services (EMS) personnel licensure. This directly affects veterans and active-duty military personnel (including National Guard and Reserves) seeking EMS licenses in Alabama, provided they also submit proof of passing the National Registry exam. The bill amends Alabama Code Section 22-18-4 to explicitly include military service under acceptable qualifications, while removing outdated language and making minor technical updates to the code. It does not change other licensure requirements, such as completing approved EMS courses or passing exams.
HB 297 would expand the city limits of Monroeville, Alabama, to include specific areas along State Highway 21, U.S. Highway 84, and State Highway 136 in Monroe County. The bill details precise boundary descriptions for these highway corridors, adding adjacent lands to the city's corporate limits. This change would directly affect property owners within the newly included areas, as they would come under Monroeville's municipal jurisdiction. The bill requires a public map of the proposed boundaries to be available at the Monroe County probate office and takes effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 166 amends Alabama law to expand when police can impound vehicles operated without a valid driver's license (beyond just DUI cases) and clarifies redemption procedures. It specifically allows impoundment if a driver cannot produce a license on demand, unless the license expired within 180 days or a family member with a valid license is present. The bill also restricts local governments from issuing identification cards, limiting this to state-issued non-driver IDs. These changes directly affect drivers without valid licenses and local governments issuing IDs, with new processes for vehicle redemption and impoundment exceptions. The bill is currently pending committee review in the Alabama House.
SB 216 revises Alabama's military award system for National Guard members by updating eligibility criteria and establishing new honors. It creates the Governor's Cross (Alabama's highest award for exceptional service) and modifies existing awards like the Faithful Service Ribbon (now requiring 20 years of service for the Veterans Service Medal). The bill specifies that the Governor presents top awards while the Adjutant General may award lower-tier medals, including new additions like the Phenix City Civil Disturbance Medal. These changes directly affect Alabama National Guard members who qualify for recognition based on service duration, specific missions, or acts of bravery.
HB 254 prohibits Alabama law enforcement officers from stopping or boarding vessels solely to conduct safety or marine sanitation equipment inspections. This directly affects vessel operators on Alabama waters and law enforcement agencies that previously performed such routine checks. The bill requires officers to have another legal reason beyond inspection purposes to stop a vessel. It takes effect on June 1, 2026.
HB 274 authorizes Alabama's Department of Corrections to take reasonable actions against unauthorized drones near correctional facilities, including jamming (within federal limits), hacking, physical capture, or other measures to disrupt drone operations. It directly affects prison security operations by granting the Department specific tools to address drone threats, such as potential contraband smuggling. The bill requires all actions to comply with federal law and specifies these measures are limited to neutralizing drone threats. The law will take effect on June 1, 2026.
HB 331 increases Blount County's lodging tax from 4% to 5% of room charges for short-term stays (under 30 days) and authorizes an additional $3 per room per night tax. It affects hotels, motels, and similar lodging businesses in Blount County that rent to transients. The tax will be collected like the state lodging tax, with proceeds deposited into the county tourism fund to support tourism promotion, park maintenance, beautification projects, and covered bridge upkeep. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 168 prohibits Alabama public K-12 schools from using the "three-cueing system" (which teaches reading through meaning, sentence structure, and visual cues) for foundational reading skills like decoding and word recognition. Instead, it requires all reading materials and teacher training to use evidence-based "structured literacy" methods focused on phonics, phonemic awareness, and systematic instruction. The law applies to textbooks, instructional materials, and educator preparation programs, banning visual memory strategies for word recognition while allowing context and vocabulary support for comprehension. It takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year, with violations requiring public notification by the State Board of Education.
HB 300 requires all health insurance plans sold in Alabama that cover breast exams to provide screening and diagnostic mammograms without charging deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. It directly affects Alabama residents with health insurance, ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary breast screenings under the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines. The bill covers both routine screening exams (for high-risk individuals) and diagnostic exams (to evaluate abnormalities), but excludes limited policies like dental-only or Medicare supplements. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
