HB 375 requires Alabama's Department of Human Resources (DHR) to create a dementia training program for staff and contractors who investigate adult protective services cases. Specifically, it mandates that employees or contractors handling these cases complete a two-hour initial training on identifying dementia, safety risks, and communication strategies upon hiring, plus two hours of continuing education every two years. The training must cover Alzheimer's disease, common safety concerns like wandering or falls, and best practices for supporting individuals with dementia. This law applies directly to DHR personnel and contractors working in adult protective services and takes effect on October 1, 2026.
SB 264 would allow any Alabama municipality, regardless of population size, to expand its city boundaries through a resolution by the governing body and a special election. Currently, only cities with 25,000 or more residents can use this method to annex new areas; the bill removes that population threshold. The key mechanism remains unchanged: a city council resolution followed by a public vote in a special election to extend corporate limits. This change would directly affect all Alabama municipalities, particularly smaller cities previously unable to expand their boundaries through this process, and takes effect on June 1, 2026.
HB 401 increases the mortgage recording fee in Alabama from $0.30 to $0.45 for every $100 of loan amount on mortgages, deeds of trust, and similar instruments. This fee change directly affects borrowers, lenders, and title companies when recording property-related financial instruments. The bill redirects the additional revenue to the Alabama Housing Trust Fund, which supports affordable housing programs. The change modifies existing fee structures without altering the fundamental process of mortgage recording.
HB 396 revises Alabama's public school grading system to create separate evaluation formulas for schools with and without 12th grade. Schools without 12th grade use weighted metrics focused on academic achievement (40%), growth (40%), and growth for low-performing students (20%). Schools with 12th grade include additional college and career readiness indicators (30%) and graduation rates (10%), such as ACT scores, dual enrollment, or industry credentials. The bill requires the Alabama Workforce Board and State Department of Education to develop a system for tracking student outcomes related to these readiness metrics, and creates an Accountability Council to review the grading system. This directly affects all Alabama public K-12 schools through their annual accountability ratings.
This bill increases the income threshold for Alabama's homestead property tax exemption from $12,000 to $16,000 annually for eligible homeowners aged 65+ or those retired due to permanent disability or blindness. It also extends this exemption to unremarried widows or widowers of qualifying individuals, provided their annual income does not exceed $150,000. The exemption applies to property valued at up to $5,000 in assessed value or 160 acres, subject to standard requirements like deed ownership. These changes directly affect homeowners meeting the new income criteria or surviving spouses of those who previously qualified.
Alabama's HB 279 adopts the Esthetics Licensure Compact, allowing licensed estheticians in Alabama to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill establishes a multistate licensing system that requires uniform standards for estheticians, creates a shared data system for license status and disciplinary information, and ensures public safety through consistent regulation. It directly affects licensed estheticians who wish to work across state lines, particularly benefiting military members and their spouses relocating between member states. The compact aims to reduce licensing barriers while maintaining safety standards and enabling easier workforce mobility for estheticians.
HB 272 modifies how Alabama counties publish voter registration lists. It allows county judges of probate to use alternative methods (like posting in public buildings, making lists available at their office, or publishing online) if the cost of newspaper publication exceeds $40,000 before 2030. Starting in 2030, this cost threshold will automatically increase each year based on the Consumer Price Index. The bill also freezes newspaper publishing fees for these lists at 2024 election rates until 2030, preventing publishers from raising prices during that period.
HB 165 requires Alabama's public colleges and universities to submit annual reports by October 31 detailing all state and federal funds received and spent, broken down by funding source. These reports must be certified as accurate by each institution and include specific plans for operating if state or federal funding decreases. The Alabama Community College System must follow the same reporting requirements. The Executive Budget Office will compile these reports to track funding flows and institutional planning. This bill focuses on transparency and accountability in higher education funding, not on changing funding levels or student benefits.
HB 256 extends the validity period for vehicle license plates in the state. The bill, currently pending in the House Committee on State Government, would change the standard validity term (though the specific new duration isn't detailed in the provided text). It is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, if passed. This change directly affects all vehicle owners who renew their license plates. The bill text provided only includes the effective date section, so the exact extension length (e.g., from 1 year to 2 years) cannot be confirmed from the context given.
HB 305 allows Alabama courts to use a special jury pool (a separate group of potential jurors) in capital felony trials, which was previously prohibited. The bill requires courts to follow specific steps during jury selection, including administering an oath to potential jurors, ensuring both the prosecution and defense can question them, and removing jurors for cause based on motion. It also permits courts to retain alternate jurors after the main jury begins deliberating and establishes clear procedures for when there aren’t enough qualified jurors present to form a jury. These changes apply directly to courts handling capital felony cases in Alabama.
HB 309 creates a public registry within Alabama's law enforcement agency (ALEA) for individuals convicted of two or more domestic violence offenses. It requires these "persistent offenders" to register with ALEA, pay a $150 fee (with $100 going to a domestic violence fund), and includes their name, birth date, conviction details, and photo on ALEA's website - excluding addresses or victim information. Offenders can be removed after 5-20 years, depending on prior convictions, if they commit no new offenses; new convictions reset the removal timeline. The registry becomes active January 1, 2027, and ALEA must adopt rules to manage it.
HB 101 creates a new "Invisible Disability" license plate for Alabama residents diagnosed with specific medical conditions (like autism, PTSD, diabetes, or visual impairments) or their primary caregivers. To qualify, applicants must provide physician documentation, pay regular registration fees plus a $40 annual fee, and meet standard licensing requirements. Proceeds from the $40 fee (minus costs) will fund Kulturecity, Incorporated’s sensory accessibility programs for people with invisible disabilities. The plate is valid for five years and replaces standard or personalized plates. This policy directly affects Alabamians with qualifying conditions and their caregivers, providing a visible identifier while directing funds toward accessibility initiatives.
