Rep. James Lomax

Maddy summaryHB 517 (the TRAIN Act) creates a new "workforce teaching certificate" allowing qualified industry workers to teach career and technical education courses in public schools. Employers who loan these certified employees to schools can claim tax credits. The bill also shields certificate holders from personal liability for routine teaching duties (excluding willful misconduct), aligning with existing state law. This directly affects current industry workers seeking teaching roles, their employers, and public schools offering technical training programs.

Maddy summaryHB 527 creates a new Alabama individual income tax deduction for overtime pay. It allows taxpayers to deduct up to $1,000 annually from their taxable income for qualified overtime compensation earned during the year, effective for tax returns filed in 2025 through 2027. This directly affects Alabama residents who earn overtime wages, reducing their taxable income by up to $1,000 per year. The bill amends existing tax code language to add this specific deduction while making minor technical updates to the statute.

Maddy summaryHB 477 increases the maximum membership of Alabama's main Workforce Board from 40 to 45 members and raises the regional workforce board size from 20 to 25 members. It establishes a quorum of four voting members for the executive committee and allows executive committee members to participate in meetings via electronic means (including for voting). These changes update procedural requirements for board operations and membership structure under existing workforce development laws, affecting the Alabama Workforce Board and its regional branches. The bill makes no policy changes to funding or program requirements, only administrative adjustments to board composition and meeting procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 7 increases penalties for making terrorist threats in Alabama, elevating the first-degree offense to a Class B felony (from Class C) and the second-degree offense to a Class D felony (from Class A misdemeanor). It also requires public school principals to immediately notify law enforcement when a student's conduct potentially involves such a threat and mandates a mandatory one-year school suspension for students charged with making a terrorist threat in either degree. The bill specifies conditions for student readmittance and requires convicted individuals to pay restitution to victims. This directly affects K-12 students, school administrators, law enforcement, and courts by tightening legal consequences for threats targeting schools, public spaces, or officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in Alabama to raise public awareness about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a progressive and fatal disease affecting motor neurons. The legislation formally recognizes the severe impact of ALS on patients and their families, noting the lack of a cure and the increased risk for military veterans. By declaring this awareness month, the bill encourages state residents to support research and acknowledge the challenges faced by those living with the disease.

Maddy summaryHB 214 bans foreign nationals - including individuals not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, foreign governments, and foreign-owned U.S. entities - from contributing to Alabama state/local campaigns, political parties, or ballot measures. It also prohibits political committees and parties from soliciting or accepting such funds, with violations punishable as Class C felonies. The bill defines "foreign national" broadly and includes limited exceptions for dues or event fees under specific conditions. Effective October 1, 2026, it aims to prevent foreign influence in Alabama elections by aligning with federal campaign finance standards.

Maddy summaryHB 213 changes the official name of Alabama's port authority from "Alabama State Port Authority" to "Alabama Port Authority" throughout state law. It directs the Code Commissioner to update all references to "State Port Authority," "Alabama State Docks Department," and "Alabama State Port Authority" in the Code of Alabama to the new name. The bill repeals outdated 1975 laws establishing the authority (Chapter 13 of Title 33) because those provisions are now obsolete, but it does not dissolve the current port authority or alter its operations. This is a procedural name update to modernize legal references.

Maddy summaryHJR 226 creates the Alabama Unmanned Aircraft System Study Commission. This commission is tasked with studying issues related to unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, within the state. Its members will be appointed by various state and local entities, including the Attorney General, the Director of the Department of Transportation, the Alabama Sheriffs Association, and the Alabama League of Municipalities.

Maddy summaryHJR 241 establishes the Joint Study Commission on Advanced Air Mobility to help Alabama prepare for new developments in aviation, such as air taxis and advanced drone systems. This commission, composed of state legislators and aviation experts, will study the state's existing infrastructure and identify companies involved in this emerging field. Its primary purpose is to recommend legislation to the Governor by early 2027, aiming to position Alabama at the forefront of Advanced Air Mobility. The commission will then terminate.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 363, known as the Fair Campaign Practices Act, prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or expenditures in Alabama elections. The bill directly affects foreign nationals, as well as political campaigns, ballot measures, political parties, and political action committees operating within the state. It amends existing state code to define "foreign national" and outlines penalties for any violations of these prohibitions.