HB 382 amends Alabama real estate laws, affecting licensed brokers, salespersons, and out-of-state principal brokers. The bill establishes specific rules for co-brokerage agreements with out-of-state brokers, limiting their transactions and requiring Alabama brokers to supervise and file these agreements. It also defines "teams" of licensees, stating they do not require separate licensure but prohibiting individuals from joining more than one team. Additionally, the bill clarifies advertising standards, compensation practices, and requirements for written listing agreements to include expiration dates.
SB 304, known as the Powering Growth Act, establishes the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank and the Strategic Energy Procurement Fund under the State Industrial Development Authority. These entities are designed to provide financing and assistance for qualified energy infrastructure projects, supporting economic development. The Energy Infrastructure Bank will offer loans and financial aid, with at least 40 percent of its funds reserved for projects in rural areas, defined as counties with populations under 135,000. The Strategic Development Fund will also prioritize energy infrastructure improvements in rural areas until September 30, 2030, after which funds can be used statewide.
HB 320 amends the requirements for advertising public works contracts. It mandates that advertisements for these contracts be published for consecutive weeks on a centralized website. This website will be maintained by the Department of Finance, streamlining the competitive bidding process. This change primarily affects government entities issuing public works contracts and businesses seeking to bid on them.
SB 196 establishes a "Move on When Ready" program, allowing qualifying high school juniors and seniors to enroll full-time at participating two-year colleges, junior colleges, or four-year public institutions of higher education. The bill creates a dedicated fund to pay these institutions for courses taken by students in the program. The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) is responsible for administering the program in consultation with other education bodies. This legislation also includes provisions for adopting rules and establishes criminal penalties for anyone enabling an institution to wrongfully obtain funds, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.
HB 496 proposes a constitutional amendment specific to Elmore County, allowing its county commission to levy new taxes and assessments. This includes a 4.5% excise tax on the wholesale sale of vapor products, alternative nicotine products, and tobacco products within the county. It also introduces an annual property assessment on all land parcels, ranging from $25 for land-only parcels to $300 for commercial parcels. Funds collected from both the excise tax and property assessment would be deposited into an "Enhance Elmore Fund" and primarily allocated to public health and safety, and county fire and rescue services.
This bill proposes a Constitutional Amendment specifically for Morgan County, Alabama. It would require the Judge of Probate in Morgan County to be an attorney licensed in the State of Alabama. Additionally, it grants the Morgan County Judge of Probate the authority to exercise equity jurisdiction concurrently with the circuit court for cases originally filed in the Probate Court, provided the judge is a licensed attorney. In these specific cases, the probate judge would possess the same powers as a circuit court judge, and the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure would apply.
SB 289 requires public K-12 schools to provide instruction on a "success sequence" to all students, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The State Board of Education will develop a model curriculum that highlights the benefits of completing high school, obtaining full-time employment, and marrying before having children. Local school boards are responsible for implementing this age-appropriate instruction at least twice before students graduate. The bill also tasks the State Board with creating a process for recruiting, selecting, and training instructors for this program.
SB 57 proposes to allow officers of a limited liability company (LLC) to take official acknowledgments or proof of conveyances, such as deeds or mortgages, for their company. This bill expands existing law, which already permits officers of other business entities like corporations to perform this function. To be eligible, an LLC officer must own or hold not more than one percent of the company's total issued and outstanding capital stock. This change would take effect on October 1, 2025.
SB 244 creates the new crime of aggravated theft of employee retirement benefits. This bill makes it illegal for a person to embezzle, steal, or unlawfully convert money or assets intended for employee retirement plans, including systems like the Teachers' Retirement System or Employees' Retirement System. Violations are categorized as a Class C felony, establishing criminal penalties for those found guilty. The bill also sets a six-year statute of limitations from the discovery of the crime and a maximum probation period of 10 years.
SB 279 authorizes the Legislative Council to contract for the demolition of the current Alabama State House once a new state house is completed. It allows for the removal and disposition of valuable property and materials affixed to the building, which can be reused, recycled, sold, or disposed of. Additionally, the bill permits the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate to sell old chamber furniture, such as desks and chairs, to members and employees of the Legislature.
SB 317 modifies the structure of the Alabama Innovation Corporation, also known as Innovate Alabama, which supports technology and entrepreneurship in the state. The bill primarily affects the board of directors by establishing staggered terms for its six at-large members. It outlines a transition plan for existing at-large directors, adjusting their term end dates to December 31, 2025, 2026, or 2027. After this initial adjustment, all future at-large directors appointed by the Governor will serve for two-year terms, with a limit of two consecutive terms.
SB 312 establishes two new types of alcoholic beverage licenses. First, an "event storage license" allows businesses with existing special event licenses to store alcoholic beverages at a permanent facility and transfer them to and from special event venues. Second, a "government venue license" authorizes businesses to sell and dispense alcoholic beverages at special events held on state, county, or municipal properties, such as parks or concert venues. The bill also sets fees for these new licenses and empowers the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to administer and enforce these provisions.
