Rep. Mark Shirey

Maddy summaryHB 15 would exempt eyeglasses and contact lenses from Alabama's sales and use tax. Currently, these items are taxed under state law, but the bill would remove that tax obligation. This change would directly affect consumers purchasing optical aids and retailers selling them, as they would no longer pay or collect tax on these items. The bill amends Alabama Code Section 40-23-1 to add eyeglasses and contact lenses to the list of tax-exempt products.

Maddy summaryHB 308 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Mobile County residents aged 65 or older to claim a property tax exemption on their primary residence. To qualify, homeowners must own a single-family, owner-occupied home used as their principal residence for at least five years before claiming the exemption. The exemption freezes the property’s assessed value from the year prior to claiming (effective October 1, 2027), while requiring annual renewal through the Mobile County Revenue Commissioner by December 31 each year. This change would directly affect Mobile County seniors meeting the age and residency criteria, but requires voter approval to become part of Alabama’s constitution.

Maddy summaryHJR 69 is a symbolic resolution designating January as National Blood Donor Month in Alabama. It directly affects Alabamians by encouraging blood donation through official recognition, urging citizens to donate regularly and businesses to sponsor blood drives with organizations like LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges the importance of voluntary blood donors in maintaining a stable blood supply for patients, including trauma victims, cancer patients, and newborns. It references Alabama's local blood center's role in supporting emergency services and addresses the national challenge of low donor rates (only 3% of eligible people donate).

Maddy summaryHB 390 amends the laws governing the Alabama Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund. The bill removes the requirement for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) to prevent other government entities from becoming involved in contamination issues related to dry cleaning operations. Additionally, it reduces the minimum balance required to be maintained in the Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund from one million dollars to two hundred fifty thousand dollars. These changes affect the administrative oversight of dry cleaning contamination cleanup and the financial requirements for the fund, which helps dry cleaning businesses and affected landowners address environmental contamination.

Maddy summaryHB 176 proposes to amend existing sales tax law. Currently, certain ophthalmic materials are subject to sales and use tax. This bill would exempt the sale of optical aids, specifically eyeglasses and contact lenses, from both state and local sales and use taxes. This change would directly affect consumers purchasing these vision correction items, as they would no longer pay sales tax on them.

Maddy summaryHB 101 authorizes the Mobile County Sheriff's Office to use credit or debit cards for purchasing physical goods or approved services, directly affecting the sheriff's office operations. It requires the sheriff to establish written policies including spending limits per transaction and monthly, secure access controls, detailed record-keeping, and monthly bill reviews to prevent unauthorized charges. The bill mandates full monthly payment to avoid fees and specifies that any rewards from card use must be deposited into the sheriff's discretionary fund. It explicitly prohibits overspending beyond legally appropriated funds or creating debt for the county commission.

Maddy summaryHB 515 requires health insurers to have licensed healthcare professionals - not artificial intelligence - make final decisions on whether medical treatments are covered. Insurers must disclose when AI is used in coverage determinations, cannot base decisions solely on group data, and must consider each patient’s unique circumstances. The bill also allows individuals harmed by AI-related coverage denials to sue insurers for damages. It directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients enrolled in most health benefit plans (excluding limited policies like Medicare supplements). The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 192 requires money transmission businesses (like banks and payment processors) to collect a 2% fee on every outgoing international electronic wire transfer. The collected fees will be deposited into Alabama's Education Trust Fund to hire English Language Learner (ELL) instructors. Taxpayers who pay these fees can claim an income tax credit equal to the amount paid (up to $5,000 annually) when filing their Alabama income tax return. Businesses must provide receipts showing the fee and post notices informing customers about the tax credit option. The fee collection begins January 1, 2026, and the bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 74 would exempt purchases of eyeglasses and contact lenses from state sales tax. This change directly affects consumers who buy optical aids, making these essential vision products tax-free. The bill's key provision removes the standard sales tax on these specific items at the point of sale. It does not alter tax rates for other goods or services. The bill is currently pending review by the House Ways and Means Education committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases daily pay for election workers in Mobile County and allows the county to hire computer technical assistants to support polling places. Under the new rules, inspectors will receive $250 per day, chief clerks will earn $225 per day, and other election officers will be paid $200 per day, with higher rates also set for mandatory training sessions. The legislation authorizes the Mobile County Commission to set specific compensation for the newly created technical assistant roles and establishes a timeline for paying an absentee election manager. These changes take effect on June 1, 2024, and include a provision confirming payments made during the 2006 election cycle.