This bill would standardize building codes across Alabama for all non-residential buildings (like offices, stores, and factories), expanding coverage beyond the current limited scope that only applied to state buildings, schools, hotels, and theaters. It would transfer the authority to adopt these codes from local governments to the state Division of Construction Management within the Department of Finance, while keeping local governments responsible for enforcement. Coastal counties and municipalities would also gain authority to create supplemental hurricane-resistant building codes. The bill includes criminal penalties for code violations and requires regular code updates starting in 2025. (Note: The bill is pending committee review as of February 6, 2025.)
HB 206 would ban the sale, transfer, and possession of specific firearms defined as "assault weapons" in Alabama, including models like AR-15s, AK-47s, and certain pistols and shotguns with features like detachable magazines or folding stocks. It excludes antique firearms, manually operated weapons, and allows exceptions for law enforcement, licensed dealers, and inheritance. Current owners would be required to take specified actions regarding these weapons, with violations punishable as Class B felonies (Class A if sold to minors). The bill does not affect traditional firearms like bolt-action rifles or antique weapons.
SB 129 in Alabama would expand legal immunity for law enforcement officers in both civil and criminal cases. It replaces current immunity rules by shielding officers from lawsuits or prosecutions when acting within their discretionary authority - unless they act recklessly without justification or violate a clearly established constitutional right (e.g., excessive force). The bill requires plaintiffs to meet a high legal standard to challenge immunity and automatically stays both civil and criminal cases while officers prove the immunity applies. This affects peace officers, tactical medics, and detention facility staff (excluding constables), but does not change their duties or standard operating procedures. The bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee as of February 6, 2025.
HB 235 prohibits social media platforms from allowing users under 16 years old to create accounts, effective January 1, 2026. It requires platforms to implement a reasonable age verification process for all new account sign-ups. Violations - such as knowingly allowing under-16 accounts - would be treated as deceptive trade practices, subjecting platforms to civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation, enforced by Alabama’s Attorney General. The bill directly affects minors under 16 and social media companies operating in Alabama.
HB 217 amends Alabama's tax code to exclude "difficulty of care payments" received by individual care providers under Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver programs from state gross income calculations. This change specifically affects care providers (such as home health aides) who receive these payments through Medicaid waiver programs. The bill adds a new exemption to Section 40-18-14 of Alabama's tax code, aligning with federal tax treatment under 26 U.S.C. § 131. As a result, these payments will no longer be included when calculating an individual's Alabama state income tax liability.
SB 124 revises the membership of Alabama's Joint Committee for Medical Examiners and Nursing Boards. It adds two certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) and one certified nurse midwife (CNM) actively in collaborative practice to the committee, alongside existing physician and nursing members. The bill also increases daily payment for committee members and establishes new procedures if either the Medical Examiners Board or Nursing Board rejects a joint committee recommendation. This directly affects the committee's composition, the boards' rule-making process, and healthcare providers in collaborative practice agreements.
SB 132 would reclassify psychoactive cannabinoids derived from hemp (such as Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC) as Schedule I controlled substances, removing their current exemption under Alabama law. This change would directly affect businesses selling these products, as they would now face the same legal restrictions as other Schedule I drugs. The bill also repeals existing rules that prohibited selling these products to minors. The policy change specifically targets psychoactive hemp derivatives while maintaining exemptions for non-psychoactive cannabinoids.
HB 208 expands the duties of Alabama's Secretary of Information Technology to include establishing cybersecurity governance for all state agencies and creating a new Technology Quality Assurance Board. The bill requires the Secretary to adopt rules for cybersecurity standards and oversee the board, which must enforce ethical guidelines, security controls, and compliance mechanisms for state agency use of technologies like AI. This directly affects all Alabama state agencies by mandating new cybersecurity protocols and oversight for technology procurement and development. The bill also updates the Secretary's existing responsibilities to include cybersecurity governance in strategic planning and project approvals. The legislation is pending committee review and would take effect October 1, 2025, if enacted.
SB 100 changes Alabama's property tax rules by replacing the current 7% annual cap on assessed value increases with a new limit tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This affects most residential and commercial property owners, as the new rule applies to Class II and III properties under Alabama law. The bill limits annual tax increases to the percentage change in the CPI (from the previous year), rather than a fixed 7%, while exempting new construction, property never assessed, and certain family transfers. The change takes effect retroactively from October 1, 2024, and applies through 2027.
SB 98 expands access to post-conviction DNA testing for inmates in Alabama. It removes time limits for requesting DNA tests and extends eligibility from only capital offenses to include all offenses (capital and non-capital) for inmates serving prison sentences. The bill requires courts to order testing if the evidence exists, was not previously tested, and the request demonstrates how results could prove innocence. This change aims to provide a broader pathway for inmates to seek DNA evidence that might prove factual innocence, regardless of when their conviction occurred.
HB 192 requires money transmission businesses (like banks and payment processors) to collect a 2% fee on every outgoing international electronic wire transfer. The collected fees will be deposited into Alabama's Education Trust Fund to hire English Language Learner (ELL) instructors. Taxpayers who pay these fees can claim an income tax credit equal to the amount paid (up to $5,000 annually) when filing their Alabama income tax return. Businesses must provide receipts showing the fee and post notices informing customers about the tax credit option. The fee collection begins January 1, 2026, and the bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 197 requires parents or guardians alleging a school district violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to first notify Alabama's State Department of Education before requesting a formal hearing. It mandates the department to offer free, voluntary mediation to resolve disputes and gives school districts 10 days to respond to complaints. If mediation fails, the department issues a written decision, and unresolved cases may proceed to a due process hearing. The bill specifically states monetary remedies are unavailable - only educational services can be addressed - and applies to families of children with disabilities in Alabama public schools.
