SB 17 prohibits Alabama from restricting how people use or store digital assets (like cryptocurrency), imposing extra taxes when digital assets are used for payments, or banning digital asset mining in industrial zones. It exempts digital asset mining, staking, and node operations from being classified as "securities" or "money transmission" under state law. The bill also ensures individuals can use self-hosted or hardware wallets without state interference and provides tax exemptions for small digital asset transactions under $200. This directly affects consumers using digital assets for purchases, businesses operating mining facilities, and staking service providers. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025.
SB 19 establishes that Alabamians have the right to use FDA-approved contraceptives and healthcare providers have the right to dispense them and share information about their use. The bill prohibits Alabama state agencies, local governments, and any laws from interfering with access to these contraceptives, including restrictions on sale, provision, or use. Individuals, healthcare providers, or the Attorney General can sue to stop enforcement of violating laws through civil court actions. The law would take effect on October 1, 2025, if passed.
HB 155 would require the State of Alabama to observe all holidays designated by the federal government as state holidays, replacing the current list of specific holidays (like Confederate Memorial Day or Robert E. Lee’s birthday). This change simplifies the law by deleting redundant language and updating the code to reference federal holidays directly. It affects state offices, banks, and public schools, which currently close for holidays listed in the code, by aligning their closures with federal observances. The bill makes no new holiday additions but ensures Alabama follows federal holiday designations, with technical updates to the existing legal text.
This resolution (HR 19) is a symbolic statement by the Alabama House of Representatives affirming support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles. It declares that the American Dream belongs to all people and encourages state, local, and federal entities - including schools, workplaces, and government bodies - to adopt DEI policies that remove barriers to opportunity and foster inclusion. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding; it solely expresses a position and urges organizations to uphold DEI efforts. It specifically references historical DEI milestones like the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act to contextualize its stance. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect on policy or spending.
HB 80 appears to address civil damages in human trafficking cases, but the provided context lacks specific details about its provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties. The bill's abstract ("Crimes; human trafficking, further provided; amounts awarded as civil damages, further provided") does not describe concrete policy changes, such as new award amounts, eligibility criteria, or procedural updates. Without additional information on what "further provided" entails, no substantive summary can be generated. The bill is currently pending committee review in the House Judiciary Committee (as of February 4, 2025), but its actual content remains unspecified in the given context.
HB 41 increases penalties for gambling crimes in Alabama, including harsher punishments for repeat offenses. It specifically classifies electronic gambling devices like video lottery terminals and electronic bingo as illegal, while clarifying that standard coin-operated amusement machines (e.g., crane games) are exempt from gambling laws. The bill also allows authorities to seize illegal gambling equipment and revoke licenses from businesses violating gambling laws, such as those operating under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. These changes directly affect gambling operators, business owners, and enforcement agencies by tightening legal consequences and definitions.
HB 70 would require esthetician/makeup artists to obtain a license from Alabama's Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. It sets specific qualifications for this new license, creates exemptions for certain practices, and mandates registration with the board by October 1, 2025. The bill defines "esthetics" (skin care procedures) and "makeup application" to clarify which services fall under this licensing requirement. This directly affects professionals providing skin care and makeup services for compensation in Alabama.
SB 75 amends Alabama's theft statute to specifically make it a crime to knowingly take mail or shipped items intended for another person, with the intent to deprive them of the property. This directly affects individuals who steal packages or mail from porches, mailboxes, or delivery points, while protecting the intended recipients. The key provision adds a new subsection (5) to the theft law, explicitly criminalizing unauthorized control over mailed or shipped items. The bill becomes effective October 1, 2025, if passed.
SB 93 requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in Alabama to reimburse pharmacies at the actual cost of drugs and bans PBMs from charging pharmacies fees for network participation or claims processing. It allows pharmacists to share drug pricing information and alternatives with patients and lets pharmacies refuse to dispense drugs if reimbursed below their dispensing cost - without forcing patients to pay higher deductibles or copays. The Alabama Department of Insurance will enforce these rules and investigate PBM violations during pharmacy audits. This directly affects pharmacies, pharmacists, and PBMs operating in Alabama's health insurance system.
SB 73 (Alabama) expands eligibility for catastrophe savings accounts to cover hurricane-resistant home improvements (like reroofing) and FORTIFIED endorsement costs, beyond just insurance deductibles. It directly affects Alabama homeowners with residential property who face windstorm or hurricane risks. The bill sets contribution limits based on the taxpayer's deductible: for example, those with under $1,000 deductibles can contribute up to $2,000 plus $15,000 for other eligible costs. Funds must still be used for qualifying hurricane-related expenses to maintain tax benefits, with clear caps preventing excessive contributions.
HB 36 adds a new 1.25% simplified sellers use tax on online sales of physical goods in Alabama, on top of the existing 8% tax. This additional tax applies to eligible sellers and marketplace facilitators (like online marketplaces) participating in the state's sales tax program. Proceeds from this new tax will be distributed solely to local public schools based on average daily student enrollment from the previous school year, replacing the previous split between state and local governments. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and includes minor technical updates to existing tax code language.
HB 20 prohibits businesses from denying customers equal access to public spaces like restaurants, stores, or hotels based on weight or body size. It also bans employers from making hiring, firing, or promotion decisions based on these factors, creating a legal cause of action for affected individuals. Victims could sue employers for lost wages, benefits, or liquidated damages if discrimination is proven. The bill would take effect on October 1, 2025, if enacted.
