Rep. Jamie Kiel

Maddy summaryHB 65 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Franklin County residents aged 65 or older to claim a property tax exemption on their primary residence. To qualify, seniors must own the home as their principal residence for at least five years and meet income requirements (not detailed in the bill text). The exemption freezes the property’s assessed value from the year before claiming it, but does not affect homestead exemptions or millage rate changes. The amendment requires voter approval and would take effect for tax years beginning October 1, 2027, with claims due by December 31, 2027. This is a proposed change to the state constitution, not yet law.

Maddy summaryHB 167 would change Alabama's property tax rules by replacing a fixed 7% annual cap on assessed value increases with a cap tied to the annual inflation rate (measured by the Consumer Price Index). This directly affects property owners, particularly those with Class II and III properties, as their annual tax assessments would now rise or fall based on inflation rather than a fixed percentage. The bill applies retroactively from October 1, 2024, and continues through 2027, with exceptions for new construction, property transfers between family members, and certain ownership changes. The change aims to align property tax increases more closely with actual cost-of-living changes.

Maddy summaryHB 94 revises the State Auditor's duties in Alabama, primarily creating a new Division of Property Investigations to handle cases of lost or stolen state property. The bill requires state agencies to report property losses or thefts and exempts Department of Corrections and Department of Youth Services facilities (property behind security bars) from standard inventory audits. This division would investigate negligent losses, demand repayment for damaged property, and refer criminal cases to the Attorney General or district attorneys. The bill directly affects state agencies, property managers, and the State Auditor's office, with no impact on general public or private entities.

Maddy summaryHB 382 amends Alabama real estate laws, affecting licensed brokers, salespersons, and out-of-state principal brokers. The bill establishes specific rules for co-brokerage agreements with out-of-state brokers, limiting their transactions and requiring Alabama brokers to supervise and file these agreements. It also defines "teams" of licensees, stating they do not require separate licensure but prohibiting individuals from joining more than one team. Additionally, the bill clarifies advertising standards, compensation practices, and requirements for written listing agreements to include expiration dates.

Maddy summaryHB 559 addresses two main areas: modifying the crime of loitering and authorizing mask usage policies on school campuses. It aims to provide further exceptions to the crime of loitering, potentially affecting individuals on public or private property. Additionally, the bill allows for the implementation of mask usage rules within school environments. The provided bill text is an amendment, making it difficult to detail the full scope of the loitering exceptions or the specific provisions for mask policies.

Maddy summaryHB 562 proposes to revise the powers and duties of the State Auditor and establish a new Division of Investigations. This bill directly affects state officers and government operations by expanding the Auditor's investigative capabilities. Specific provisions within the bill clarify language related to defining "wanton and reckless misconduct" and establishing conditions for probable cause in "criminal" matters.

Maddy summaryHB 285 requires law enforcement officers to notify a parent or guardian when a minor receives a traffic citation. This bill directly affects minors cited for traffic violations and their parents or guardians. The notification mechanism specifies that contact can be made via a telephone call, text message, or a letter sent through United States mail to the driver's emergency contact.

Maddy summaryHB 611 prohibits internet service providers, cell phone service providers, content delivery networks, physical data centers, and payment providers from facilitating online access to or payment for abortion-producing drugs for delivery within the state. It requires internet and cell phone providers to block websites known to offer these drugs, and the Attorney General is authorized to monitor the internet for such sites. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations by providers and those who offer the drugs. Additionally, it creates a civil cause of action for wrongful death of an aborted child against entities involved in providing these drugs. The Attorney General can also pursue civil actions, seeking injunctions and fines, with a portion of the collected fines supporting Alabama Pregnancy Resource Centers.

Maddy summaryHB 547 prohibits public K-12 schools in Alabama from competing against private (nonpublic) schools in post-season athletic events after the regular season. It also bans public schools from joining athletic associations that restrict or discourage matchups with private schools, and requires public schools to meet specific safety and eligibility standards (like concussion protocols and physical exams) if they compete against schools from other associations. The law directly affects public school athletic programs and their membership in sports associations, with requirements including mandatory health screenings, concussion management, and compliance with national high school sports rules. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 304 modifies procedures for impounded vehicles by requiring that cars not claimed by owners within 30 days of being towed must be sold or disposed of according to standard unclaimed vehicle rules. This directly affects vehicle owners whose cars are towed and fail to reclaim them within the new timeframe. The bill changes the redemption period from previous language to specify a clear 30-day window before disposal. It does not address local identification cards, as that provision is not covered in the provided bill text excerpt.