Alabama Bills

SB 257 amends existing law related to the Alabama Educational Television Foundation Authority. Currently, the Authority is prohibited from engaging in activities that influence legislation or involve propaganda. This bill would authorize the Authority to use its funds for fundraising, soliciting donations, and otherwise securing additional funding. These activities must comply with the Internal Revenue Code and applicable federal regulations. This change directly affects the Authority by expanding its capacity to seek financial support.

SB 107 aims to adjust how Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT) proceeds are distributed to municipalities. Currently, these distributions are based on population figures from the most recent federal census. This bill would allow municipalities to request a recalculation of their population for SSUT distribution purposes every fifth year after a federal census, commencing January 1, 2026. These recalculations would account for population changes due to annexations, deannexations, or new incorporations. Municipalities must submit specific certified documentation to the Department of Revenue to support these population adjustments.

SB 69 prohibits the Board of Control for the Employees' Retirement System of Alabama (ERSA) and the Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama (TRSA) from investing public funds with certain entities. Specifically, it disallows investments with "restricted entities affiliated with Communist Chinese military companies." The bill requires these boards to create a list of such restricted entities by January 1, 2026, to guide future investment decisions.

Senate Bill 121 updates the advertising requirements for competitive bids on public works contracts exceeding $100,000. Currently, state and local government agencies must advertise these contracts in newspapers. This bill expands the options for providing public notice, allowing agencies to also publish invitations to bid on a digital platform maintained by the Department of Finance for a specified period. It also allows for notice via procedures approved by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts and outlines conditions for satisfying publication requirements if a chosen method fails through no fault of the agency.

SB 77 would require money transmission businesses to collect a fee on outgoing international electronic wire transfers, specifically $7.50 plus 1.5% of amounts over $500. These collected fees would be deposited into a newly created Sheriffs' Immigration Enforcement and Detainer Fund, which would help county sheriffs cover costs related to enforcing immigration laws and housing violators. The bill also authorizes an income tax credit for taxpayers, allowing them to claim the full amount of these international wire transfer fees paid, up to $5,000. The Alabama Securities Commission and the Alabama Department of Revenue would administer these provisions, with the Department of Revenue responsible for notifying customers about the tax credit.

SB 291 amends the Fair Campaign Practices Act to allow political parties to transfer funds to and from their local and other affiliated party organizations. Currently, existing law treats political parties as political action committees (PACs), which generally prohibits fund transfers between PACs. This bill creates an exception, specifically authorizing these internal financial transfers within a political party's structure, including recognized local and affiliated entities. This change affects political parties and their recognized local or affiliated groups by providing more flexibility in managing and distributing funds.

This bill amends existing law regarding unclaimed motor vehicles. Currently, a person in possession of an unclaimed vehicle must report it to the Department of Revenue within five calendar days after it is considered unclaimed. This bill would allow towing companies to report a motor vehicle as unclaimed immediately after towing it. This change provides an expedited reporting option specifically for vehicles handled by towing services.

SB 273 would reclassify psychoactive cannabinoids derived from hemp, such as Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC, as Schedule I controlled substances, making their sale illegal. The bill restricts the sale of nonpsychoactive consumable hemp products, like CBD edibles and topicals, exclusively to licensed pharmacies certified by the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy, starting January 1, 2026. These products would be required to undergo laboratory testing and must be made from hemp cultivated within the state. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture and Industries would establish a seed-to-sale tracking program for hemp and these consumable products.

SB 237 proposes to regulate psychoactive cannabinoids found in hemp products, placing them under the oversight of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. It would treat "hemp beverages" like beer or wine, requiring licenses for manufacturing, distribution, and retail sale, establishing labeling and testing standards, and levying a 10% excise tax. Other "psychoactive hemp products" would be regulated similarly to tobacco, requiring retailer permits and adhering to specific labeling and advertising rules. The bill also prohibits the sale of all consumable hemp derivatives to individuals under 21 years of age, bans smokable hemp products statewide, and establishes penalties for violations.

SB 217 modifies the process for counties and municipalities entering into bond financing agreements. The bill requires bond financing agreement documents to include a schedule of all existing debt obligations for the entire maturity period of the new debt. It mandates that the chair of the county commission and the bond underwriter's signatory sign an acknowledgment confirming that all debt obligations and payment schedules have been presented and explained to the commission before bonds are sold. Additionally, the bill extends these same requirements, including the use of a bond financing review form, to municipalities. These forms must be submitted to the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts and made publicly available.

SB 164 expands the existing crime of unauthorized entry into critical infrastructure facilities, which include sites like power plants, pipelines, and airports. The bill specifies that operating an unmanned aircraft system (drone) without authority within 200 feet vertically of such a facility constitutes unauthorized entry. Violations are classified as a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties escalate to a Class C felony if critical infrastructure property is damaged, operations are interrupted, or if the drone is equipped with a weapon. The bill clarifies that it does not prevent lawful assembly, peaceful protest, or labor disputes.

SB 143 proposes to exempt households whose sole source of income is veterans' benefits from paying solid waste collection fees. This expands the current exemption, which is only available to households whose sole income comes from Social Security benefits. To qualify, these households would need to annually provide proof of their income to the county health officer. The bill also includes minor technical revisions to update existing code language.