Maddy summaryHB 135 creates the Alabama Port Infrastructure Grant Program under the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to fund improvements at publicly owned inland ports and transportation hubs connecting different shipping methods (like rail and barge). It allocates $5 million annually starting in 2026 for competitive grants, requiring 20% local matching funds and limiting state funding to 50% of project costs. The program prioritizes projects that reduce highway congestion, boost port tonnage, and enhance regional competitiveness, while explicitly excluding routine maintenance, administrative costs, and new port construction without prior feasibility studies. Funding must directly support capital improvements, dredging near existing ports, or infrastructure development outside normal operating budgets.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 296 creates the Rental Home Marketplace Guarantees Act to regulate protections offered by rental platforms (like Airbnb) when renters cause property damage. It requires platforms operating in Alabama to register with the Insurance Commissioner, obtain insurance backing for guarantees, and clearly disclose that these guarantees are not insurance. The bill mandates specific language in guarantees stating that renters can claim directly from the insurer if the platform fails to pay within 180 days. The Insurance Commissioner gains enforcement power to investigate violations and impose fines. This directly affects rental platforms and protects renters who may need reimbursement for property damage.
Maddy summaryHB 119 requires fire districts in Alabama to collect service fees from owners of manufactured homes and house trailers used as residences, adding these properties to the existing list of fee-eligible structures like single-family homes and apartments. The bill amends state law to include "manufactured homes" (as defined in Section 32-20-2) and "house trailers" (as defined in Section 32-1-1.1) under the fee collection rules for fire protection services. Property owners may avoid the fee if their home was built on a county line before 1991, had no Mobile County property taxes during that period, and has an agreement with another fire district for services. The fee, collected from property owners, funds firefighting district operations and applies to all districts levying such fees. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 27 expands Alabama's catastrophe savings accounts to cover additional expenses beyond insurance deductibles, including storm-resistant home upgrades (like reroofing) and FORTIFIED endorsement costs for hurricane-prone properties. It sets contribution limits based on a homeowner's deductible amount - capping total contributions at $15,000 or less for most residents, and up to $250,000 for self-insured homeowners. The bill maintains tax benefits, allowing deductions for contributions and exempting account interest from state income tax, while requiring distributions to cover only eligible disaster-related costs. This directly affects Alabama homeowners with residential properties in hurricane-risk areas who use these accounts to prepare for or recover from severe storms.
Maddy summaryHB 392 revises the duties of the Public Service Commission regarding utility regulation. The bill requires utilities to hold public meetings with the Commission to discuss operational issues like cost changes, reliability, and other relevant factors. It also updates the qualifications for commissioners by adding fields such as agriculture, finance, and engineering to the list of required expertise. The bill directly affects utility companies and the Public Service Commission by changing how they engage on operational matters. (This summary is based solely on the provided bill text and abstract.)
Maddy summaryHB 39 lowers the fee for Alabama residents who already hold specific seafood licenses (such as fishing or processing permits) from $465 to $265 for a seafood dealer license. This applies to license holders under Sections 9-12-82, 9-12-87, 9-12-93, 9-12-113, or 9-12-124. The bill makes this reduced fee retroactive, covering licenses issued on or after October 1, 2025. It directly affects existing seafood dealers with qualifying licenses by reducing their annual licensing cost without changing the requirement to hold a license.
Maddy summaryHB 179 establishes the Alabama Resilience Council as a permanent advisory group within the executive branch to coordinate state resilience efforts. The council, composed of agency heads and private sector representatives, must develop a statewide resilience plan including a comprehensive risk and vulnerability assessment. It also creates a Chief Resilience Officer position to lead these initiatives and requires collaboration with local governments and businesses to proactively address threats to communities and infrastructure. This bill affects state agencies, local governments, and private sector partners by mandating a formal structure for resilience planning.
Maddy summaryHB 127 protects pharmacists from disciplinary action by the State Board of Pharmacy or employers for recommending or dispensing drugs for off-label uses (using a drug in a way not approved by the FDA, based on a healthcare provider’s prescription). It also prohibits pharmacy benefits managers from retaliating against pharmacists or their employers for such actions and allows pharmacists to sue if terminated for this reason. The bill additionally permits over-the-counter sales of Ivermectin (for human use) and Hydroxychloroquine without a prescription. These changes apply to pharmacists and pharmacies in Alabama, excluding controlled substances. The bill is pending in the House Health Committee as of January 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 126 requires mandatory pretrial detention hearings without exception for defendants charged with either a Class A felony that resulted in death or attempted murder (pending constitutional amendment ratification). This changes current law by requiring prosecutors to always request denial of bail for these offenses, eliminating the court's ability to waive the hearing. The bill directly affects defendants facing these specific charges in Alabama courts, ensuring they remain detained until a hearing determines release conditions. It updates existing bail procedures to remove discretion for these serious offenses, while including minor technical code revisions. The bill does not change eligibility for bail in other cases.
Maddy summaryHB 1 increases the fees for seafood dealer licenses for both residents and non-residents. Alabama residents will see their license fee rise from $200 to $465, while non-residents will pay $730, up from $400. The bill also establishes a new resident license fee of $265 for those holding a specific permit under Section 9-12-113. Additionally, a reciprocal fee will be charged to non-residents if their home state's fee exceeds $730.