This bill establishes the State Energy Supply and Chemical Trade Stabilization Act to support Alabama's energy and chemical manufacturing sectors by addressing risks from global trade disruptions. It creates three main financial tools: a grant program with up to $2 million annually for facilities to mitigate trade-related losses and upgrade infrastructure, a refundable income tax credit covering 30% of qualifying investments capped at $2 million per year, and a low-interest loan program for site development and equipment. The legislation also forms a five-member board to assess trade vulnerabilities and recommend strategies for securing supply chains, with the department responsible for implementing rules and the act taking effect on July 1, 2026.
This special order calendar resolution directs the Alabama Senate to prioritize specific bills during the eighteenth legislative day of the 2026 session. The measure establishes a temporary agenda that takes precedence over regular business, ensuring timely consideration of proposed legislation. Affected bills include measures on ambulance billing restrictions, financial transparency for local governments, waste collection fee exemptions for veterans, school flag ceremonies, and SNAP benefit purchase limitations. The resolution itself is a procedural tool used to manage legislative workflow rather than creating substantive policy changes.
This bill establishes the Automotive Supply Chain Resilience and Expansion Act to support Alabama's automotive industry against federal tariff disruptions. It creates several financial programs including a $10 million grant fund for companies facing tariff-related hardships, a tax credit and loan program for relocating or expanding supply chains, and an export assistance program to help businesses find new international markets. The legislation also allows state procurement agencies to adjust bidding rules to account for tariff costs and establishes a task force to monitor trade impacts and recommend policy responses. These measures are designed to help automotive manufacturers and suppliers maintain operations, retain jobs, and reduce reliance on tariff-affected imports.
This bill creates the Tourism Revenue Recovery and Global Promotion Act to support Alabama's tourism industry in response to global trade disruptions and travel slowdowns. It establishes a grant program for eligible tourism businesses like hotels and attractions to help with staff retention, facility updates, and marketing, with no single entity receiving more than $100,000. The legislation also funds international marketing campaigns to attract visitors from affected countries, supports domestic advertising for in-state travel, and provides grants for tourism infrastructure improvements like visitor centers and trail enhancements. Additionally, it creates a Tourism Sector Economic Monitoring Council composed of five appointed members who will track economic trends and advise state leaders on tourism strategies.
This bill requires that local governments in Alabama, including municipalities, counties, and public industrial authorities, must obtain approval from the Secretary of Commerce and the Governor before granting tax abatements for the state portion of certain taxes on industrial property. Under current law, local entities could abate both state and local taxes independently, but this legislation adds a state-level review process specifically for state tax abatements. The bill mandates that local governments submit written requests with details about the proposed tax reduction, duration, and financial analysis to the Secretary of Commerce, who will evaluate the project's return on investment and check for any prior defaults on economic agreements before recommending the abatement to the Governor. This change applies to abatements for construction-related transaction taxes and ad valorem taxes on private use industrial property, with specific provisions for data processing centers and technical corrections to existing tax abatement procedures. The new requirements take effect on October 1, 2026.
This bill creates a new program within Alabama's Department of Education called the American History and Civics Excellence Initiative, which would offer high school teachers an online course focused on American history and civics topics. Teachers who complete the required 50-hour online course would become eligible for a special certification endorsement and could apply for a one-time $3,000 stipend if funding is approved. The State Board of Education would oversee the program and establish rules for implementation, while a program director would be appointed by the State Superintendent and confirmed by the Senate. The initiative aims to provide professional development for teachers in specific areas of American history and civic education.
This Alabama bill prohibits the operation of oversized or overweight vehicles using automated driving systems, requiring such vehicles to be driven by human operators instead. It also clarifies that the state and local governments have no legal obligation to upgrade roads or infrastructure to accommodate these automated vehicles. Additionally, the legislation prevents municipalities from imposing specific taxes or requirements on automated driving systems beyond what already applies to regular vehicles. These changes would take effect on October 1, 2026, and directly affect transportation companies and regulators managing large vehicle operations.
HB 394 exempts the organization "Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy" from paying state sales and use taxes, effective September 1, 2026. It also allows Alabama counties and municipalities to choose to exempt this same entity from local sales and use taxes. The bill directly affects only this specific nonprofit organization, providing it with tax relief at both state and local levels. This is a targeted tax exemption with no broader policy changes or new requirements.
HB 414 removes criminal penalties for transporting live feral swine in Alabama, changing current law that treated this as a Class B misdemeanor with a $2,500 minimum fine. The bill directly affects landowners, hunters, and others who transport feral swine, as well as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which can no longer restrict such transport. Key provisions delete all criminal penalty language related to transportation and explicitly state that transporting feral swine is not a criminal offense. The bill also prohibits the conservation department from banning this activity, taking effect immediately upon enactment.
HB 378 adds Alabama Certified Licensing Administrators to a list of tax professionals who receive an annual $1,200 payment from the Alabama Department of Revenue. This payment is provided to individuals who successfully complete the department's Professional Education and Training Program and hold the "Alabama Certified Licensing Administrator" designation. The bill amends existing law (Section 40-1-46) to include this new certification category under the current compensation structure. The change would take effect on October 1, 2026, for those meeting the certification requirements.
HB 411 exempts the Auxiliary of Big Oak Ranch, Incorporated, from paying or collecting state sales and use taxes. It also allows Alabama counties and municipalities to grant the same local tax exemption to this specific nonprofit entity. The bill directly affects only this organization, not broader groups or general tax policy. Key provisions require state-level tax exemption for the entity and authorize local governments to follow similar rules under existing law. The exemption becomes effective September 1, 2026.
HB 422 exempts the Greater Peace Community Development Corporation from paying state sales and use taxes and allows Alabama counties and municipalities to similarly exempt it from local sales and use taxes. The bill directly affects this specific nonprofit corporation, which likely provides community services or housing. Key provisions include a state-level tax exemption (Section 1a) and authorization for local governments to grant exemptions under existing law (Section 1b). The exemption becomes effective September 1, 2026. This is a straightforward tax relief measure targeting one organization, with no broader policy changes.
