HB 521 updates Alabama's election administration rules for county board of registrars. It requires all registrar candidates to undergo criminal background checks (including fingerprinting), increases their daily pay rate to $115, and mandates state payment for registrars during county/state/federal emergencies or holiday closures when courthouses are shut. The bill also specifies that registrars must be treated as state employees for accessing emergency relief funds (like pandemic or disaster aid) and clarifies their qualification standards (e.g., high school diploma, computer skills). These changes directly affect county election officials, county commissions managing payroll, and the state treasury funding these positions.
HB 278 makes Alabama's existing income tax credit for volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members permanent and expands it to cover three new categories: members certified at Firefighter I level, Emergency Medical Responders, and fire support persons. The credit amount varies by certification, ranging from $200 to $600 annually, depending on the specific role and training level. To qualify, members must complete 30 hours of approved annual training and submit proof through a standardized certification process to the Department of Revenue. This change applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2027, replacing the previous temporary 2023-2026 window.
HB 16 amends Alabama's Fair Campaign Practices Act to allow the Secretary of State to send civil penalty notifications via email instead of certified mail when the penalty amount is below the cost of certified mailing. This change applies to campaign committees and candidates who fail to file required reports on time or accurately. The bill maintains the requirement for certified mail only when penalties exceed mailing costs, while preserving all existing penalty amounts and collection procedures. It directly affects political action committees and candidates who face reporting violations, streamlining notification for lower-cost penalties. The bill does not alter penalty rates or reporting requirements, only the method of delivering penalty notices.
This bill is a resolution honoring the life and death of Chante' Latrice Chatman, a beloved educator from Oxford, Alabama, who passed away on March 10, 2026. It formally records the state's mourning of her untimely death while celebrating her 50 years of service to her family, community, and students as a reading specialist and mentor. The resolution highlights her personal achievements, including her education and memberships in the Order of Eastern Star and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and quotes messages from her students to illustrate her impact. It concludes by adopting a poem by Sam Walter Foss to express comfort and friendship in the face of loss.
This bill is a resolution honoring Ruther Lee Averett on the occasion of her 90th birthday. It formally recognizes her life achievements, including her long marriage, dedication to her family and church, and her career in textile manufacturing. The resolution expresses appreciation for her faith, resilience, and contributions to her community but does not create any new laws or policies.
This bill is a recognition resolution that honors the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, as its members celebrate the 2026 Alabama State Conference. The resolution acknowledges the fraternity's history as a historically African-American organization founded in 1914 and its growth into an international service-oriented group with over 225,000 members worldwide. It extends formal tribute to the fraternity's contributions to education, business development, and community service throughout Alabama. The measure does not change laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial gesture of appreciation and well-wishes for the fraternity's upcoming conference at Auburn University at Montgomery.
This bill is a resolution to formally record the death of Calvin Miller II, a veteran and community leader from Huntsville, Alabama. It honors his military service in the U.S. Army and his extensive contributions to Freemasonry and his local church. The resolution expresses condolences to his family and celebrates his life through a formal legislative tribute.
This bill is a commendation resolution that honors the Wenonah High School Boys Basketball Team for winning the 2026 Alabama High School Athletic Association 5A State Championship. The resolution specifically recognizes the team's historic 101-40 victory over Sylacauga, which set a new record for the largest margin of victory in a title game, and acknowledges individual achievements including Brendon Davis being named Tournament Most Valuable Player. The measure formally expresses appreciation for the team, coaching staff, and community support that contributed to this achievement.
This bill is a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Abraham Kennard, Jr., a retired educator from Forkland, Alabama, who passed away on March 12, 2026. It formally records the House of Representatives' mourning of his death while celebrating his contributions as a teacher, Vietnam veteran, and community member. The resolution highlights his 50-year career in education, his military service, and his roles in his churches and various community organizations. It serves as an official acknowledgment of his impact rather than enacting new policy or funding.
This bill is a ceremonial resolution that formally commends Officer Cyle Cutcliff of the Hoover Police Department on the occasion of his retirement. It recognizes his 34 years of service, which included roles as a patrol officer, crime scene investigator, and mentor to new officers. The resolution highlights his numerous awards and contributions to law enforcement in Alabama while expressing gratitude for his dedication. This type of bill does not create new laws or policies but serves to honor an individual's career achievements.
HB 395 clarifies how the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board calculates mark-up fees on wholesale liquor sales. It specifies that the "cost of merchandise" used to determine the fee (capped at 16.99%) includes only the amount the Board pays for liquor cases, excluding other costs. This directly affects liquor wholesalers who pay this fee on case lot purchases. The bill makes minor technical updates to the code language but does not change the existing fee cap or other provisions. The bill is pending in the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee and would take effect October 1, 2026.
SB 255 exempts qualified nonprofit organizations (those using property for religious, educational, or charitable purposes) from proving property tax payments when filing a quiet title action in Alabama. This bill amends existing law to remove a requirement that nonprofits could not meet, as they typically don't pay ad valorem taxes on their properties. The change directly affects nonprofits seeking to legally establish ownership of property they use for exempt purposes. The bill makes this exemption explicit in the quiet title code while updating technical language to current style.
