HB 264 simplifies the process for moving estate administration and will contest cases from probate court to circuit court in Alabama. It allows these cases to be transferred without requiring special equity jurisdiction, making it easier for parties to request removal to circuit court. The bill directly affects individuals involved in will disputes or estate management, such as heirs, executors, or contesting family members. It updates court procedures with minor technical changes to modernize the existing legal code, effective October 1, 2026. This is a procedural change focused on streamlining court transfers, not altering substantive estate law.
HB 182 requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to accept military education, training, and experience as credit toward emergency medical services (EMS) personnel licensure. This directly affects veterans and active-duty military personnel (including National Guard and Reserves) seeking EMS licenses in Alabama, provided they also submit proof of passing the National Registry exam. The bill amends Alabama Code Section 22-18-4 to explicitly include military service under acceptable qualifications, while removing outdated language and making minor technical updates to the code. It does not change other licensure requirements, such as completing approved EMS courses or passing exams.
SB 83 updates Alabama's guardianship and conservatorship laws to improve oversight and protections. It requires court-appointed guardians ad litem for minors or vulnerable adults to complete mandatory training before serving, mandates court representatives to investigate allegations in certain cases, and allows temporary or emergency appointments to prevent harm to an adult's health, safety, or finances. The bill also sets clear notice requirements (10-14 days before hearings) and specifies procedures for moving cases from probate to circuit court. These changes directly affect adults seeking guardianship/conservatorship, minors, and courts handling these sensitive proceedings.
HB 297 would expand the city limits of Monroeville, Alabama, to include specific areas along State Highway 21, U.S. Highway 84, and State Highway 136 in Monroe County. The bill details precise boundary descriptions for these highway corridors, adding adjacent lands to the city's corporate limits. This change would directly affect property owners within the newly included areas, as they would come under Monroeville's municipal jurisdiction. The bill requires a public map of the proposed boundaries to be available at the Monroe County probate office and takes effect on October 1, 2026.
This bill increases penalties for harassment or threatening communications directed at public officials. Currently, such offenses are Class C misdemeanors, but this bill upgrades them to Class B misdemeanors when the victim is a public official. It applies to both physical harassment (like touching or abusive gestures) and communications (like threatening phone calls or online messages) intended to harass or alarm officials. The bill does not change penalties for harassment targeting non-officials or exempt legitimate business communications.
SB 87 extends the time limit for filing lawsuits against real estate appraisers and complaints to the Board of Real Estate Appraisers from three years to five years. This change directly affects property owners who may seek legal action for appraisal errors and appraisers facing potential claims. The bill modifies existing civil procedure law by updating the statute of limitations period for these specific cases. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee (as of February 2026) and has not yet become law.
HB 166 amends Alabama law to expand when police can impound vehicles operated without a valid driver's license (beyond just DUI cases) and clarifies redemption procedures. It specifically allows impoundment if a driver cannot produce a license on demand, unless the license expired within 180 days or a family member with a valid license is present. The bill also restricts local governments from issuing identification cards, limiting this to state-issued non-driver IDs. These changes directly affect drivers without valid licenses and local governments issuing IDs, with new processes for vehicle redemption and impoundment exceptions. The bill is currently pending committee review in the Alabama House.
SB 216 revises Alabama's military award system for National Guard members by updating eligibility criteria and establishing new honors. It creates the Governor's Cross (Alabama's highest award for exceptional service) and modifies existing awards like the Faithful Service Ribbon (now requiring 20 years of service for the Veterans Service Medal). The bill specifies that the Governor presents top awards while the Adjutant General may award lower-tier medals, including new additions like the Phenix City Civil Disturbance Medal. These changes directly affect Alabama National Guard members who qualify for recognition based on service duration, specific missions, or acts of bravery.
SB 90 lowers the license fee for Alabama residents who already hold certain other seafood licenses (such as fishing permits under specific sections of state law). Instead of paying $465, these individuals would pay $265 for a seafood dealer license. The bill also makes this fee change retroactive, allowing license holders to adjust past payments made at the higher rate starting October 1, 2025. This directly affects existing license holders in Alabama’s seafood industry who operate under multiple permits.
HB 254 prohibits Alabama law enforcement officers from stopping or boarding vessels solely to conduct safety or marine sanitation equipment inspections. This directly affects vessel operators on Alabama waters and law enforcement agencies that previously performed such routine checks. The bill requires officers to have another legal reason beyond inspection purposes to stop a vessel. It takes effect on June 1, 2026.
HB 274 authorizes Alabama's Department of Corrections to take reasonable actions against unauthorized drones near correctional facilities, including jamming (within federal limits), hacking, physical capture, or other measures to disrupt drone operations. It directly affects prison security operations by granting the Department specific tools to address drone threats, such as potential contraband smuggling. The bill requires all actions to comply with federal law and specifies these measures are limited to neutralizing drone threats. The law will take effect on June 1, 2026.
HB 331 increases Blount County's lodging tax from 4% to 5% of room charges for short-term stays (under 30 days) and authorizes an additional $3 per room per night tax. It affects hotels, motels, and similar lodging businesses in Blount County that rent to transients. The tax will be collected like the state lodging tax, with proceeds deposited into the county tourism fund to support tourism promotion, park maintenance, beautification projects, and covered bridge upkeep. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
