HB 223 would provide a 2% salary increase for most Alabama state employees, effective October 1, 2026, covering those in classified/unclassified service, judicial personnel, legislative staff, and county health department employees under the state merit system. The increase applies to all eligible employees except those covered by existing labor contracts or local supplements tied to state salaries. Implementation requires state departments to revise pay plans and certify changes to the State Comptroller for processing. The bill does not create new appropriations but directs budgeting for the increase in the annual appropriations act.
SB 154 would provide a 2% cost-of-living salary increase for most Alabama state employees, effective October 1, 2026. This applies to classified/unclassified state employees, judicial personnel, legislative staff, and county health department employees paid through state funds under the State Merit System. The bill excludes employees covered by existing labor contracts or local supplements tied to state salaries. Funding for the increase would be included in the annual state budget, not through this bill itself. The measure does not affect pay for employees already covered by negotiated agreements.
HJR 40 is a resolution passed by the Alabama Legislature recognizing specific occupations - including nursing, physical therapy, social work, architecture, accounting, and engineering - as professional careers. It directly affects these professions, which require advanced degrees, supervised training, and state licensure, and are vital to Alabama's healthcare, education, and economy. The resolution formally urges the U.S. Department of Education to reconsider a proposed federal reclassification that would exclude these fields from "professional degree programs." As a non-binding resolution, it does not change federal policy but seeks to influence the federal review process through official communication to the Secretary of Education and congressional leaders. The bill is currently pending committee action in the Alabama House.
HB 290, the "Nursing Mother's Act," requires Alabama employers with more than 50 employees to provide reasonable unpaid break time (up to one year after childbirth) for employees to express breast milk, allowing breaks to align with existing break times when possible. It also mandates employers to offer a private, non-bathroom space near the work area for this purpose, without requiring new construction. The law prohibits discrimination against employees using these provisions and exempts employers from providing breaks if it creates an undue hardship on operations. This bill directly affects breastfeeding employees and larger employers across Alabama, effective October 1, 2026.
HB 339 would provide a 4% cost-of-living increase to certain Alabama Teachers' Retirement System retirees and their beneficiaries, effective October 1, 2026. It directly affects retirees who retired before October 1, 2025, have 25+ years of service, and receive $25,000 or less annually in benefits, as well as surviving spouses of retirees meeting similar criteria. The increase is subject to legislative funding approval each year and would not apply to individuals whose Medicaid eligibility would be impaired by the higher benefit. This change requires separate annual appropriations to fund the increase, with payments resuming only if the required funding is included in the Education Trust Fund budget.
HB 153 allows specific Class 8 municipalities in Alabama (with a population of 25,000+ per the last census and corporate limits spanning two counties) to opt out of their county personnel board's jurisdiction after six months' notice. If a municipality opts out, it must create its own civil service system to protect existing employees' rights and comply with federal/state anti-discrimination laws. The bill prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or political views and requires municipalities to adopt explicit anti-discrimination policies. It repeals an existing opt-out provision (Section 11-43-5.2) and confirms retroactive validity for prior actions under related legislation.
SB 111 creates the "Prepare Alabama Investment Program" to fund trade schools and vocational programs through state tax credits. It allows individuals and businesses to claim tax credits against Alabama income, excise, premium, or utility taxes when donating to eligible trade schools, community foundations, or workforce programs. These donations must be used exclusively for constructing, maintaining, or upgrading facilities that support career technical education. The program is overseen by a board within the Alabama Department of Workforce, which certifies eligible entities and publishes approved recipients annually.
HB 294, the Alabama Professional Workforce Protection Act, creates a state list of professional careers requiring advanced education or licensing - including nursing, teaching, engineering, healthcare, and accounting - and mandates that individuals in these fields become eligible for existing state workforce development programs, scholarships, and loan repayment initiatives. The bill specifically includes occupations like registered nurses, teachers, mental health counselors, and licensed engineers, which were excluded from federal professional classifications. It requires state agencies to recognize these professions in workforce planning and program eligibility without altering existing licensing board authority. The law aims to address workforce shortages by ensuring these critical professions access state-supported career development resources.
HB 186 changes Alabama's retirement rules for first responders (firefighters and law enforcement officers) permanently disabled in the line of duty. It eliminates the current requirement that these individuals must meet specific service years or Tier status to receive full retirement benefits. Under this bill, eligible first responders would automatically qualify for full benefits regardless of their years of service or retirement Tier. The change applies retroactively to January 1, 2023, meaning affected individuals may receive back payments for the period since that date. This directly impacts disabled public safety workers who sustained service-related injuries.
SB 211 expands sick leave options for public education employees in Alabama. It allows direct sick leave donations between employees at different schools or institutions (like K-12 districts and public colleges), removes limits on how much extended medical leave an employee can donate, and requires the State Board of Education to create a model policy for this. All public education authorities (including local school boards and colleges) must adopt this policy, including provisions for sick leave banks and direct donations. The bill affects teachers, support staff, and administrators working in Alabama’s public education system.
