SB 309 proposes new restrictions on the operation of certain automated driving system (ADS) equipped vehicles. The bill prohibits vehicles that require a special permit due to their oversized or overweight dimensions from being operated by an automated driving system. Additionally, it clarifies that state and local entities are not legally obligated to upgrade their transportation infrastructure to accommodate ADS-equipped vehicles. This impacts companies and operators utilizing autonomous technology for large commercial vehicles.
SB 277 revises the sex education curriculum in Alabama's public K-12 schools, directly affecting students, parents, and local boards of education. It mandates that all sex education programs exclusively teach "sexual risk avoidance" and encourage abstinence from all sexual activity. The bill prohibits providing referrals for abortion, misrepresenting contraceptive efficacy, or demonstrating contraceptive use. It also requires parental notification and an opt-out option for students, and authorizes the Attorney General to enforce these requirements.
SB 159 proposes to exempt specific essential items from state sales and use tax. This bill would directly benefit consumers by removing the sales tax on purchases of baby formula, baby bottles, baby wipes, breast milk pumping equipment, and diapers for personal use. It would also exempt maternity clothing and various menstrual hygiene products, such as tampons and menstrual cups, when bought for personal use. The legislation defines each of these product categories to clarify what qualifies for the exemption. If enacted, these changes would take effect on September 1, 2025.
Senate Bill 9 amends sections of the Code of Alabama 1975 related to the Alabama Athletic Commission. Its primary purpose is to prohibit "slap fighting" within the state. The bill defines slap fighting as unarmed combat where two opponents stand at arm's length, taking turns slapping each other in the face without moving, flinching, or defending themselves. It also clarifies that existing regulations do not apply to or authorize amateur boxing or wrestling events sanctioned by recognized organizations like USA Boxing or the NCAA.
SB 207 proposes to increase the maximum amount that can be assessed on the sale of a cotton bale. Currently, certified commissions representing cotton producers can levy an assessment to promote the commodity. This bill would raise the maximum permissible assessment from one dollar ($1.00) to one dollar and thirty cents ($1.30) per bale. This change directly affects cotton producers and the commissions that determine and collect these annual assessments. The bill also includes minor technical updates to existing code language.
SB 292 expands the investigative powers of the State Superintendent of Education. It authorizes the Superintendent to issue subpoenas to summon witnesses and compel the production of records for matters within the authority of the State Department of Education or State Board of Education. The bill also allows the Superintendent to appoint special investigators within the Office of General Counsel. These investigators would have general investigative powers, including serving subpoenas, accessing public school property, and reviewing relevant law enforcement records to aid in investigations, such as those concerning school employee misconduct.
Senate Bill 274 (SB 274) prohibits the possession and sale of psychoactive cannabinoids, including delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) derived from hemp, within Alabama. The bill establishes new criminal penalties for violations, ranging from a Class A misdemeanor for personal possession to Class C and D felonies for unlawful sale or repeat possession offenses. These prohibitions directly affect individuals and businesses currently involved in the sale or possession of these compounds. The only exceptions are those authorized under the state's medical cannabis laws, and the bill is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025.
SB 281 defines and regulates "earned wage access services," which allow employees to access their earned but unpaid income before their scheduled payday. The bill clarifies that platforms providing these services are not considered lenders, money transmitters, or debt collectors, provided they meet specific consumer protection standards. These standards require providers to disclose all fees, offer a no-cost option for accessing funds, allow consumers to cancel services, and reimburse consumers for overdraft fees caused by the provider. It also prohibits providers from using civil suits to compel repayment of outstanding funds or fees.
SB 191 requires the Alabama Medicaid Agency to cover screening for postpartum depression and prohibits step therapy protocols for related prescription drugs for Medicaid patients. It also mandates the Alabama Department of Public Health to develop and distribute educational materials on postpartum depression for healthcare professionals and new parents. Additionally, the bill requires physicians and other healthcare professionals to assess birth mothers for postpartum depression as part of postnatal or pediatric infant care. These provisions aim to increase access to screening, treatment, and education for postpartum depression.
SB 336 amends the Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act to allow for the creation of conversion public charter school districts. The bill enables a local school board to convert two or more of its existing non-charter public schools into a conversion public charter school district. These converted schools would operate as charter schools under the governance of the same local school board, which acts as their authorizer. A key provision states that conversion public charter schools must give enrollment preference to students residing within their former attendance zone. This expands the options for how local school boards can manage and organize multiple public schools as charter entities.
SB 120 proposes to exempt the Alabama Eye Bank from paying state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes. This exemption would directly affect the Alabama Eye Bank by reducing its operating costs. The bill specifies that this tax relief would be in effect for a five-year period, commencing on October 1, 2025, and concluding on September 30, 2030, unless further legislative action extends it.
SB 341 expands the eligibility for distinctive motor vehicle license tags for veterans in Alabama. Currently, specific veterans exposed to radiation from atomic bomb and weapon testing between 1944 and 1962 can receive these tags. This bill would include additional veterans who were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation due to their service. This includes those who directly participated in atomic weapon detonations, cleanup of radioactive material, or were exposed to ionizing radiation during World War II. Eligible veterans would apply through their local license official and pay the standard license fee, plus an additional fee for the distinctive tag.
