HB 1 increases the fees for seafood dealer licenses for both residents and non-residents. Alabama residents will see their license fee rise from $200 to $465, while non-residents will pay $730, up from $400. The bill also establishes a new resident license fee of $265 for those holding a specific permit under Section 9-12-113. Additionally, a reciprocal fee will be charged to non-residents if their home state's fee exceeds $730.
HB 544 revises the laws governing the Escambia County Medical Examiner. It changes the appointment process, establishing a new nominating committee composed of local and state officials. The bill specifies the medical examiner will serve a six-year term as an agent of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences with state liability coverage. It also clarifies the types of deaths requiring investigation and repeals the section of code related to the medical examiner's compensation.
HB 392 provides an annual supplemental compensation of $24,000 for the chief assistant district attorney and three assistant district attorneys in Alabama's Eleventh Judicial Circuit, which covers Lauderdale County. This additional compensation will be paid in equal monthly installments from Lauderdale County's general fund and will supersede any other local law salary supplements. The bill also specifies that these attorneys serve at the pleasure of the district attorney and have no residency requirements.
HB 463 authorizes the Chilton County 911 Board of Commissioners to establish procedures for its Director to make purchases using a credit or debit card issued to Chilton County 911. This aims to provide a more efficient way to pay for authorized tangible property or services. The procedures must include monetary limits for individual and total monthly purchases, ensure the Director has sole access to the card, and require accurate record-keeping for audits. Any rewards or rebates earned from card use must be deposited into the Chilton County 911 discretionary account. This bill affects the operations of Chilton County 911 and its financial management.
HB 539 establishes a new special transaction fee specifically for Randolph County. This bill requires the Randolph County Commission to impose an additional $50 fee for the recording and copying of maps or plats in the Judge of Probate's office. The Judge of Probate will collect this fee and deposit it into the County General Fund. The funds are designated for the county commission's discretion to cover costs related to map and plat services, including processing, digitizing, and laminating. This fee will be in addition to existing charges and becomes effective on October 1, 2025.
HB 495 amends governance rules for Marion County's Public Water Authority board. It specifies that the board will consist of 9 members appointed by defined local groups (including the county commission, Marion County Firefighters Association, mayors of incorporated cities, and state legislators representing Marion County) with staggered initial terms ranging from 1 to 6 years. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and requires directors to be county residents who own property within the water authority's service area. This procedural change directly affects how the authority's leadership is selected and governed.
HB 91 expands the powers of Alabama county housing authorities to manage housing projects and community facilities. It permits authorities to form business subsidiaries, make loans, enter contracts, and ratify any existing wholly-owned subsidiaries they've created. The bill also exempts county housing authorities from all taxes, reducing operational costs. These changes update the legal framework to provide greater flexibility in housing management without altering the authorities' core responsibilities.
HB 78 allows judges in Alabama's Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit (covering Baldwin County) to hold nonjury court proceedings in branch courthouses in Foley and Fairhope, up to 175 days per year in each location. For jury trials, the bill requires a standing order from the presiding judge and additional approvals from court officials (circuit clerk, sheriff, district attorney, and judge) before such trials can occur in branch locations. This bill directly affects Baldwin County residents who use these branch courthouses for court matters, particularly for nonjury cases and jury trials requiring specific approvals. It clarifies procedural rules for court operations without changing substantive law or creating new legal obligations.
HB 365 creates the Alabama STEM Council within the Department of Workforce, defining its membership and responsibilities. The bill expands the list of STEM fields covered to include life science, accounting, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and earth science, directly affecting Alabama's K-12 and higher education systems, workforce development programs, and employers seeking skilled workers. Key provisions establish the council to coordinate STEM education initiatives, workforce training, and industry partnerships across the state. The bill is currently pending in the House Education Policy Committee as of March 2025.
SB 76 creates an exemption from jury duty for nursing mothers. The bill allows a prospective juror to be excused from service if they provide a statement confirming they are a nursing mother. This change directly affects nursing mothers called for jury duty, offering them a specific reason for exemption.
SB 43 prevents healthcare providers from being legally bound by contracts that stop them from sharing cost information with patients. It directly affects patients seeking price transparency and healthcare providers who currently face restrictions in disclosing costs. The bill prohibits enforcement of such contractual terms, requiring providers to share pricing details without legal penalty. This change aims to help consumers compare costs when making health care decisions. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
HB 164 proposes changes to the process for distributing "small estates" after a person's death. It increases the monetary threshold for estates that can qualify for a simplified "summary distribution" process, directly affecting more families dealing with a deceased loved one's property. The bill also authorizes the Probate court to manage this streamlined process, specifically for estates where the deceased is not survived by a minor child who is not also the child of the surviving spouse.
