Alabama Bills

SB 27 requires Alabama Medicaid to cover specific noninvasive colorectal cancer screening tests (guaiac fecal occult blood test, fecal immunochemical test, and multi-target stool DNA test) when they have a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) grade A or B recommendation. It also mandates coverage for a colonoscopy if a screening test returns positive. This directly affects Alabama Medicaid beneficiaries who need these screenings, ensuring access to recommended tests without cost barriers. The bill implements these changes immediately upon enactment, aligning Medicaid coverage with federal preventive care guidelines.

HB 154 revises Alabama's State Board of Veterans Affairs structure and Commissioner appointment. It changes the Governor from the Board to appoint the Commissioner (who would serve "at the Governor's pleasure"), eliminating the Board's prior role in selecting the Commissioner. The bill also revises the Board's membership to be appointed by the Governor, House Speaker, and Senate President Pro Tempore - requiring appointments to reflect Alabama's entire veteran community across demographics and service eras. Finally, it redefines the Board as purely advisory, transferring its former duties (like setting department policy, approving contracts, and selecting senior staff) to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

SB 26 exempts Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc. from paying state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes. The bill directly affects this specific nonprofit organization by removing its tax obligations for qualifying purchases. It takes effect on September 1, 2025, and is a targeted exemption rather than a broad policy change. The bill is currently pending committee review in the Alabama Senate.

HB 97 would allow voters to fix common errors on absentee ballot envelopes before an election. Specifically, if an absentee ballot's affidavit envelope has issues like a missing signature, address mismatch, incorrect envelope order, or improper witnessing, election managers must notify the voter within two business days of receiving the ballot (if submitted three or more business days before the election). Voters would then have until the last business day before the election to correct these defects. This change directly affects absentee voters who submit ballots with envelope errors, ensuring their votes aren't automatically rejected due to minor technical issues.

HB 74 would exempt purchases of eyeglasses and contact lenses from state sales tax. This change directly affects consumers who buy optical aids, making these essential vision products tax-free. The bill's key provision removes the standard sales tax on these specific items at the point of sale. It does not alter tax rates for other goods or services. The bill is currently pending review by the House Ways and Means Education committee.

This bill (HB 75) aims to establish state requirements for repairing wheelchairs used by elderly and disabled individuals. The bill's current status shows it was filed on January 6, 2025, and is pending committee review in the House of Origin (State Government Committee). The provided context does not include specific details about the proposed repair standards, timelines, or certification processes. Without the bill's full text or specific provisions, a detailed summary of its mechanisms or direct effects cannot be provided. The summary must remain factual, so we note the topic and current status while acknowledging the lack of substantive detail in the available context.

Buildings, Construction & Infrastructure

Resolutions

Elderly & Disabled Persons

Property & Estates

State Government

Education