Rep. Chris England

Maddy summaryHB 86 revises Alabama's parole guidelines to require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to give special attention to three specific factors when considering parole: an inmate's low risk of reoffending (based on a validated assessment), their employment during incarceration, and education completed while in prison. The bill also mandates that the board consider other factors in its guidelines and provide written reasons for all parole decisions. This change directly affects inmates seeking parole and the board's decision-making process, though the board retains full discretion to approve or deny parole. The revised guidelines must be reviewed every three years and posted online for public access.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commendation resolution honoring former Alabama Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor Bill Baxley for his significant contributions to the state. It recognizes his legal career achievements, including reopening the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing case and prosecuting the ringleader, as well as his mentorship of notable legal professionals. The resolution formally expresses the Alabama House of Representatives' high regard for Baxley's service and impact on Alabama's legal and political history.

Maddy summaryHB 481 (Alabama) requires courts to prioritize victim restitution payments over all other fines, court costs, and fees in criminal cases. Specifically, it amends Alabama Code sections 15-18-65(b) and 15-18-70(b) to mandate that restitution to crime victims must be paid first, before any other financial obligations from the conviction. This directly affects criminal defendants (who must pay restitution before other debts), crime victims (who receive payments sooner), and court systems (which must enforce this payment order). The bill does not change how restitution amounts are calculated but ensures victims are compensated ahead of other financial obligations tied to the case.

Maddy summaryHJR 102 is a ceremonial resolution commending Alicia Cannon for 50 years of service to Alabama's judicial system. It recognizes her career starting in 1976 as a court clerk, her progression to leadership roles in the Administrative Office of Courts (AOC) Finance Division, and her stewardship of public funds. The resolution formally honors her contributions to court operations, financial oversight, and mentoring staff across Alabama's courts. As a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes, it has no direct impact on legislation or affected parties.

Maddy summaryHB 480 changes how Alabama counties and municipalities distribute sales tax revenue from the simplified sellers use tax (SSUT). It requires each county and municipality to allocate a minimum of 40% of their SSUT proceeds to local school boards serving their area, instead of keeping the funds for general use. This applies to all counties and municipalities that haven't already adopted such a policy by October 1, 2027. The bill takes effect January 1, 2028, redirecting existing sales tax revenue directly to public schools. It repeals the current monthly distribution requirement for these funds.

Maddy summaryHB 434 changes how Alabama's simplified sellers use tax (SSUT) revenue is distributed. It reduces the portion going to the Education Trust Fund and redirects those funds directly to local school boards based on student enrollment. Specifically, it reallocates funds previously sent to the Education Trust Fund (25% under current law) to local boards of education, while keeping the same total allocation percentages for counties and municipalities. This bill directly affects local school districts by increasing their funding from SSUT proceeds, and the Education Trust Fund by reducing its share. The change would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 260 updates Alabama's condominium laws to strengthen owner protections and dispute resolution. It prohibits using consents, waivers, or powers of attorney to amend a condominium declaration (expanding an existing rule that already banned powers of attorney). The bill allows condo associations to intervene in arbitration and mediation (not just court lawsuits) and gives courts authority to use remedies like injunctions or reformation for declaration disputes. It also includes minor technical updates to align the code with current language. The bill directly affects condominium owners, associations, and property developers in Alabama.

Maddy summaryHB 71 makes it a Class C felony for medical examiners in Alabama to keep a deceased person's organs without first notifying and getting consent from the next of kin. Currently, medical examiners must notify next of kin if they retain organs to determine identification or cause of death, and they are already prohibited from using organs for other purposes without consent. This bill strengthens that rule by imposing criminal penalties for unauthorized retention beyond the existing requirements. It directly affects medical examiners and forensic staff working in Alabama counties, requiring them to obtain explicit consent before retaining organs for any purpose other than identification or cause of death.

Maddy summaryHB 70 allows certain defendants convicted of capital murder before June 1, 2026, to seek resentencing if a jury previously recommended life without parole but a judge overruled that recommendation to impose a death sentence. The bill requires courts to resentence eligible defendants under current law (which follows jury recommendations) if they meet specific criteria: the sentence was imposed under pre-April 2017 law, the jury advised life without parole, and the judge overruled that advice. Petitions for resentencing must be filed with the original sentencing court and are free of filing fees. The bill repeals an existing resentencing provision and takes effect October 1, 2026. It directly affects capital murder defendants whose sentences were altered via judicial override before the specified date.

Maddy summaryHB 76 proposes amending Alabama's constitution to permanently ban the death penalty for all future crimes. If approved by voters in the 2028 primary election, it would require the legislature to pass laws prohibiting the death penalty and void any existing laws allowing it as a punishment. This change would end the death penalty as a sentencing option for murder or other crimes in Alabama, affecting only future cases (not current death row inmates). The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee after being filed in December 2025.