Rep. Ontario Tillman

Maddy summaryHJR 273 creates the Joint Interim Study Commission on PTSD in First Responders. This commission is tasked with studying how state, county, and municipal governments can more effectively use available funding to provide services for first responders who develop post-traumatic stress disorder from traumatic events experienced during their duties. The commission's membership includes representatives from state agencies, local government associations, and legislative leaders. It will gather input from various first responder associations and must submit a report of its findings and recommendations by early 2026.

Maddy summaryHR 368 is a resolution honoring and commending Master Sergeant Kelvin D. Eades for his 32 years of distinguished service to the United States Army Reserve upon his retirement. It recognizes his leadership, deployments, military training, and numerous awards received throughout his career.

Maddy summaryHR 339 is a resolution from the House of Representatives formally commending Pastor Vincent L. Witt. The resolution recognizes his dedication as a minister and his significant community service, including his work with youth programs, feeding initiatives, and mentoring in the Birmingham and Lipscomb areas.

Maddy summaryHB 537 modifies the process for preliminary hearings in criminal cases. Currently, individuals arrested for a felony have a right to a preliminary hearing to determine if there's enough evidence to proceed before being formally charged. This bill proposes that a pretrial detention hearing, specifically one held for certain serious offenses covered by "Aniah's Law," would satisfy this existing right. This means that for these specific felony cases, one hearing could serve as both a pretrial detention review and the required preliminary hearing.

Maddy summaryHB 535 would amend Alabama's unemployment law to allow workers to receive benefits if they are locked out by their employer during a labor dispute. Currently, workers are disqualified from benefits for unemployment caused by any labor dispute, but this bill specifically excludes employer lockouts from that disqualification. The amendment changes Section 25-4-78 to state that unemployment due to an employer lockout (where the employer prevents workers from entering the workplace) does not disqualify a worker. This directly affects employees in workplaces experiencing employer-initiated lockouts during labor disputes, ensuring they can access unemployment benefits during such periods.

Maddy summaryHB 536 establishes a state-funded PTSD treatment program for Alabama law enforcement officers. It requires the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to develop educational resources, maintain a statewide roster of qualified PTSD treatment providers, and designate a resource officer to assist officers. Law enforcement agencies must provide financial assistance covering up to $15,000 in lifetime treatment costs (copays/coinsurance), mileage reimbursement at IRS rates for treatment visits, and paid leave for PTSD care. The program applies to certified officers who experience qualifying traumatic incidents (e.g., witnessing deaths or severe injuries in the line of duty) and obtain certification from a qualified physician.

Maddy summaryHB 331 allows Alabama's largest cities (Class 1 municipalities) to require property owners to register vacant buildings within 30 days of vacancy or ownership change. Owners would pay registration fees and maintain properties to prevent blight, with cities creating databases to track vacant properties and enforce standards like addressing overgrown vegetation or trash. The bill aims to address safety risks, declining property values, and public costs (e.g., inspections, police calls) linked to neglected properties. It applies to residential and commercial buildings but excludes government-owned properties.

Maddy summaryHB 32 requires Alabama local school boards to pay employees semi-monthly (on the 1st and 16th of each month) starting August 1, 2026, directly affecting school employees and school board budgets. School boards may opt out via written resolution filed with the State Superintendent within 60 days, but the bill explicitly states this change cannot reduce any employee's annual pay. Payments adjust to the last workday before weekends/holidays (except October 1, which moves to the next workday). The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with implementation rules to be adopted by state education officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill would add Election Day to Alabama's list of official state holidays, defined as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November during years with presidential or gubernatorial elections. It would require all state offices, schools, and banks to close on this day, affecting state employees and government operations. The change would take effect October 1, 2025, if passed, aligning Alabama with other states that observe Election Day as a holiday. The bill simply adds this date to the existing holiday schedule without altering how holidays are observed.

Representative Travis Hendrix, commended