Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Rural Health Antitrust Immunity Act within the State Health Planning and Development Agency to allow rural healthcare providers to collaborate without fear of antitrust violations. It specifically prohibits the Agency from approving joint negotiations between rural healthcare providers and health insurers, employee welfare plans, or government reimbursement programs as allowed activities. The legislation establishes a certification and supervision framework for these collaborations while providing limited immunity from both state and federal antitrust laws. This policy change directly affects rural healthcare providers seeking to work together on negotiations and care delivery, aiming to support rural health infrastructure through authorized cooperation.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 67 limits the cost for obtaining voter registration lists in Alabama to $1,000 per electronic copy and prohibits the distribution of specific confidential voter information, including Social Security numbers, driver license numbers, birth dates, email addresses, and phone numbers. The bill directly affects anyone requesting voter lists (such as researchers, journalists, or political groups) and the Secretary of State’s office, which must enforce these rules. Key provisions ban commercial use of voter data and require the Secretary of State to post a clear fee schedule online. It does not restrict government agencies from accessing confidential data for official purposes, as specified under existing law. The bill aims to prevent misuse of personal voter information while maintaining access for legitimate non-commercial requests.
Maddy summaryHB 169 changes the governing board of Alabama's Department of Archives and History from 12 to 17 members. It establishes new appointment rules requiring one member per congressional district and nine at-large members, with specific start dates for terms (2025-2030). The bill requires appointing authorities to consider racial, gender, geographic, and economic diversity when filling seats and applies these changes retroactively to current board members. The department's core functions and operations remain unaffected by this structural change.
Maddy summaryHB 166 amends Alabama law to expand when police can impound vehicles operated without a valid driver's license (beyond just DUI cases) and clarifies redemption procedures. It specifically allows impoundment if a driver cannot produce a license on demand, unless the license expired within 180 days or a family member with a valid license is present. The bill also restricts local governments from issuing identification cards, limiting this to state-issued non-driver IDs. These changes directly affect drivers without valid licenses and local governments issuing IDs, with new processes for vehicle redemption and impoundment exceptions. The bill is currently pending committee review in the Alabama House.
Maddy summaryHJR 138 is a symbolic resolution honoring Tharptown Baptist Church in Franklin County, Alabama, for over 130 years of community service. It commends the church for its historical role as a spiritual and social hub, including its ministries, educational efforts, and support through community challenges. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply expresses the Alabama Legislature’s formal appreciation for the church’s "enduring legacy of faith and service." This is a non-binding commemorative gesture, not a bill affecting laws or regulations.
Maddy summaryHB 318 would require Alabama law enforcement to notify parents or legal guardians electronically when their minor child (under age 19) is cited for a traffic infraction, expanding an existing tobacco violation notification rule. Parents must enroll by proving custody, and the system automatically ends when the minor turns 19. Minors can also opt out if they're married, living independently, emancipated, or parents themselves. The notification system requires available funding and would take effect October 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 4 establishes the Alabama Broadband Investment Maximization Act, exempting purchases of broadband equipment and supplies for projects funded or administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) from state sales and use taxes. This directly affects ADECA-funded broadband infrastructure projects by reducing their costs. The exemption covers equipment like cables, antennas, and routers used for broadband services or internet access, but excludes personal devices such as smartphones and consumer routers. The tax exemption applies from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029, and does not extend to local county or municipal taxes unless specifically approved.
Maddy summaryHB 495 modifies Alabama's school grading system by excluding the academic performance of students who transfer from a school that received an "F" grade for the first three years they attend their new school. This applies specifically to students moving from failing schools to other public schools in Alabama. Under the bill, the new school's A-F grade won't factor in these students' past test scores or grades during their initial three years of enrollment. The provision takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.
Maddy summaryHB 168 amends Alabama's loitering law to clarify exemptions for mask usage during protests and authorize schools to set campus mask policies. It adds that wearing a medical or surgical mask during protests for disease mitigation (with possible verification) is exempt from loitering charges, while schools and colleges may establish their own mask rules for campuses. The bill does not require masks but gives local education authorities the power to create campus policies. Violations of school mask rules would lead to administrative discipline only, not criminal charges under the loitering law. This applies specifically to public schools and higher education institutions in Alabama.
Maddy summaryHB 64 proposes a constitutional amendment for Colbert County to allow residents aged 65+ to claim a property tax exemption on their primary residence. To qualify, a homeowner must own a single-family home as their principal residence for at least five years before claiming the exemption, and the exemption freezes the property's assessed value from the prior year. The exemption requires written application to the county revenue commissioner between October 1 and December 31, 2027, for the 2027 tax year, and remains valid as long as the homeowner continues living there. This would directly affect Colbert County seniors meeting these specific residency and ownership criteria.