HB 107 creates a special "Combat Veteran" license plate for Alabama motor vehicle owners who served in combat and received specific military medals like the Combat Action Ribbon or Combat Infantry Badge. To qualify, applicants must provide proof (such as a DD Form 214 or the actual medal) and pay a $3 fee per plate. The plate features a branch-specific insignia, the words "COMBAT VETERAN" in bold, and cannot be personalized or transferred. Falsely obtaining this plate is a Class C misdemeanor. The bill directly affects eligible Alabama veterans with combat medals who own private passenger vehicles.
HB 276 allows certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) and certified nurse midwives (CNMs) to endorse physical examination forms for K-12 student athletes, treating these endorsements as equivalent to physician signatures. It requires public schools to only join athletic associations that accept such CRNP/CNM endorsements, prohibiting membership in associations that refuse to accept them. The law applies specifically to physicals verifying student eligibility for school athletic participation and takes effect October 1, 2026. This change directly affects K-12 schools, athletic associations, and healthcare providers who conduct these physicals.
HB 175 creates a state income tax credit for Alabama farmers and food establishments that donate safe-to-eat farm products (like fruits, vegetables, dairy, or meat) to qualifying food banks. Donors can claim a credit equal to 15% of the donated food's value (capped at $5,000 per year), calculated using federal tax rules for charitable food donations. The credit is limited to $2 million total statewide annually and expires after the 2031 tax year, with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis until the cap is reached. The bill takes effect in 2027 and aims to encourage food donations without requiring recipients to pay for the donations.
SJR 24 is a memorial resolution honoring John Waller Giles, a Montgomery-area resident and public servant who died on January 17, 2026. The resolution commemorates his life, career (including roles as Alabama's Small Business Advocate and founder of Peaches'n Clean), and community contributions, such as developing a voting "report card" for legislators. It expresses the Alabama Legislature's collective grief over his passing and celebrates his faith, family, and service. This resolution has no policy impact - it solely serves as a formal legislative tribute.
This resolution (SJR 23) commemorates the life and mourns the death of Junior Harold Sorrells, a respected Opp, Alabama trucking industry leader, community advocate, and devoted family man who passed away January 15, 2026. It honors his 65-year marriage, his 15-year service on the Opp Chamber of Commerce, his leadership in the Alabama Trucking Association (including receiving the Chester Webb Award), and his lifelong support of Auburn University. The resolution, adopted by the Alabama legislature, expresses collective grief and tribute to his legacy of service without creating any new laws or policies. As a commemorative resolution, it does not affect any laws or individuals beyond this symbolic recognition.
HB 181 requires entities dredging over 1 million cubic yards of material annually in Alabama's coastal areas to use at least 70% of that dredged material for "beneficial use," such as restoring habitats, creating recreational areas, or industrial applications. It explicitly excludes simply dumping material into public waters unless part of shoreline restoration or marsh creation projects. Exceptions include situations where federal funds are available for beneficial use or during a state emergency declared by the Governor. The law, set to take effect October 1, 2026, applies only to large-scale coastal dredging operations.
SJR 15 is a commemorative resolution honoring Mary Ann Peak Phelps, a Tuscaloosa, Alabama, civic leader who died in 2025 at age 93. It expresses the Alabama legislature's sorrow at her passing and celebrates her decades of volunteer work with community organizations like the YMCA, Parks Authority, and Hospice of West Alabama, including her role in funding the Manderson Cancer Center. The resolution serves solely to memorialize her contributions and offer condolences to her family, with no policy changes or direct impact on laws or constituents.
HB 343 removes a requirement that Alabama's rural electrification authorities and electric membership corporations must obtain written approval from the Department of Finance before issuing bonds. Currently, these entities must file a petition with the Department, hold a public hearing, and get written consent before selling bonds. The bill eliminates this approval process, allowing them to issue bonds without prior Department review. This change directly affects rural electric utilities that rely on bond financing for infrastructure projects.
SB 35 consolidates Alabama's current vessel registration fees (a $5 fixed fee plus a length-based fee) into a single annual fee structure. It directly affects all boat owners in Alabama who register their vessels, as the bill replaces the previous two-fee system with one unified fee. The key mechanism specifies that $5 from each registration fee goes to the State Reservoir Management Grant Fund, while the remainder (excluding the $2 processing fee) funds the State Water Safety Fund for administrative costs. The bill also updates code language for clarity but does not change the staggered registration system or vessel classification rules.
HB 57 modifies Carrollton's city boundaries in Pickens County, Alabama, by adding two specific parcels of land to its corporate limits. Parcel 1 (approximately 1 acre) and Parcel 2 (approximately 0.8 acres) are described in detail, located in Section 32 of Township 20 South, Range 15 West. The bill requires a map of the proposed boundary change to be filed with the Pickens County probate office for public review and takes effect on October 1, 2026. This change directly affects property owners within the newly included parcels.
SB 66 revises governance rules for the University of Montevallo's board of trustees and president position. It changes board member term lengths, updates the minimum number of members needed to conduct business (quorum), and revises qualifications required for the university president. The bill specifically exempts trustees appointed and confirmed before January 1, 2027, from the new term limits. These changes directly affect the University of Montevallo's board of trustees, its president, and the university's governance structure. The bill focuses on procedural and structural adjustments to the board's operations.
HB 194 increases the annual salary for Marshall County's revenue commissioner from $67,500 to $106,781, effective July 1, 2026. The bill amends Alabama Code Section 45-48-241.05 to replace the current salary figure and establish the new amount as payable in monthly installments from the county's general fund. This directly affects the Marshall County revenue commissioner, who is responsible for collecting and managing county tax-related fees and commissions.
