Alabama Bills

SB 302 establishes a program at Marion Military Institute (MMI) that grants an associate's degree and provides the required training for Alabama law enforcement officer certification. Graduates receive provisional certification as Alabama law enforcement officers immediately upon completing the program, but this provisional status becomes permanent only if they are hired full-time by an Alabama law enforcement agency within six months. The bill requires the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission to recognize MMI as a training academy and adopt rules for the program. This directly affects MMI students who complete the program and Alabama law enforcement agencies that hire them.

HB 243, the Devinee Rooney and John Wesley Holt Safe Streets Act, amends Alabama law to increase penalties for causing death through traffic violations and drug-related incidents. It raises the penalty for causing death by driving in violation of specific traffic laws (Sections 32-5A-191 or 32-5A-191.3) from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony, and creates a new offense for knowingly selling fentanyl-containing drugs that cause death (excluding licensed medical professionals). The bill also clarifies that victims of traffic-related crimes under Sections 32-10-1 through 32-10-5 are eligible for restitution. These changes directly affect drivers in fatal traffic accidents, drug sellers, and crime victims seeking restitution.

SB 134 creates a new permit requirement for businesses that buy tobacco products directly from manufacturers (or their affiliates) and resell them to other permitted Alabama wholesalers across state lines. It directly affects interstate tobacco resellers who operate in multiple states but do not sell directly to end consumers. The bill requires these businesses to register with Alabama’s Department of Revenue as "interstate warehousers" and imposes penalties for failing to comply. Existing rules for tobacco sellers remain unchanged for businesses operating solely within Alabama.

HB 285 establishes a grant program to fund economic and workforce development initiatives in Alabama's coal-impacted communities using revenues from federal coal lease sales. The bill creates a dedicated "Renewing Coal-Impacted Communities Act Fund" in the state treasury, which will receive rent and royalty payments from federal coal leases starting January 1, 2027. Grants can support workforce training, infrastructure improvements, community development projects, and operations of the Alabama Surface Mining Commission. The program targets designated coal-impacted areas - including Fayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties - and requires an advisory committee with local community representation to review applications and recommend funding.

HB 304 would amend Alabama law to allow the Advanced Technology and Data Exchange Fund to be used for the general operation of courts, expanding its current limited use beyond specific purposes like electronic filing. The bill also creates three new funds: one for the Supreme Court, one for the Court of Civil Appeals, and one for the Court of Criminal Appeals. Each fund will support technology upgrades, including electronic case filing, data sharing with agencies, and staff training to improve court efficiency. The bill is currently pending in the House Committee on Ways and Means.

HB 168 amends Alabama's loitering law to clarify exemptions for mask usage during protests and authorize schools to set campus mask policies. It adds that wearing a medical or surgical mask during protests for disease mitigation (with possible verification) is exempt from loitering charges, while schools and colleges may establish their own mask rules for campuses. The bill does not require masks but gives local education authorities the power to create campus policies. Violations of school mask rules would lead to administrative discipline only, not criminal charges under the loitering law. This applies specifically to public schools and higher education institutions in Alabama.

SB 39 changes who appoints Senate members to Alabama's Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment. Currently, the Lieutenant Governor appoints the three Senate members; this bill would transfer that authority to the Senate President Pro Tempore. The committee handles redistricting following the U.S. census, and this change affects only the appointment process for Senate representation on the committee. The bill does not alter the committee's duties or membership size.

HB 287 continues the existing Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor and Meritorious Service Award under general statutory law, rather than as a joint resolution. The committee, composed of five House members (including at least one minority party member) and five Senate members (including at least one minority party member), annually awards medals to law enforcement officers demonstrating extraordinary courage and exceptional service. The bill specifies committee membership terms, meeting requirements, administrative support from legislative staff, and reporting obligations to the Secretary of State. This is a procedural bill with no new policy changes; it solely formalizes the committee's structure and operation.

HB 190 extends Alabama's Railroad Rehabilitation Tax Credit program through 2032, increasing the annual credit cap from $3.7 million to $4.5 million and raising the per-mile credit amount from $3,500 to $4,100. It directly affects railroad companies owning or leasing track in Alabama by allowing them to claim tax credits covering 50% of eligible rehabilitation costs, with credits transferable at 85% value. The program is funded through sales tax revenues in the Education Trust Fund, with specific annual limits on total credits issued across the extended period.

HB 292 revises Alabama's law for disabled veteran license plates by lowering the required disability percentage from "more than 50 percent" to "at least 50 percent." This change directly affects disabled veterans in Alabama with exactly 50 percent physical disability, who previously could not qualify for the special plate but would now become eligible. The bill amends Section 32-6-130 of the Alabama Code to update the eligibility threshold, maintaining the existing $5 fee and application process without altering other provisions like plate design or transferability. It becomes effective January 1, 2027.

HB 345 updates Alabama's official legal code by incorporating laws passed during the 2025 legislative session into the Code of Alabama 1975. It adds specific volumes covering general laws (Volumes 3-22A) and local laws (Volumes 22B-22N), while correcting minor errors like outdated citations or typographical mistakes in existing code sections. The bill ensures these updates are officially part of the state's legal code without changing any policies or affecting future legislation. It also specifies that the Secretary of State must maintain these updated volumes and clarifies the process does not impact statutes from the 2026 legislative session.

SB 180 changes the start date for terms of Alabama's Board of Pardons and Paroles from July 1 to March 1. This adjustment applies to all appointments made on or after the bill's effective date of October 1, 2026, meaning new members will begin their six-year terms on March 1 instead of July 1. The bill does not alter the board's duties, appointment process, or composition. It is a procedural change to the term commencement date only.