Sen. Greg Albritton

Maddy summarySB 154 would provide a 2% cost-of-living salary increase for most Alabama state employees, effective October 1, 2026. This applies to classified/unclassified state employees, judicial personnel, legislative staff, and county health department employees paid through state funds under the State Merit System. The bill excludes employees covered by existing labor contracts or local supplements tied to state salaries. Funding for the increase would be included in the annual state budget, not through this bill itself. The measure does not affect pay for employees already covered by negotiated agreements.

Maddy summarySB 226 allocates supplemental funding for Alabama's fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, primarily providing $387.5 million from the Public Road and Bridge Fund and $200 million from the Rebuild Alabama Fund to the Alabama Department of Transportation for highway and bridge projects. It also allocates $50 million for energy infrastructure development through the Strategic Energy Infrastructure Development Fund and $11 million to the Unified Judicial System for court operations. Additional funds support Medicaid, the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, and geological surveys. The bill amends the main transportation appropriation to include the Alabama Highway Authority in debt service payments for highway bonds.

Maddy summarySB 174 authorizes the conversion of existing oil and gas wells into alternative energy facilities (like geothermal or hydrogen production) and expands the commissioner of conservation's authority to lease state lands for various energy projects. It directly affects energy developers seeking to repurpose wells or use state lands for new energy infrastructure. Key provisions include allowing well conversions without requiring new permits and enabling the commissioner to lease public lands for energy development under specific conditions. The bill explicitly states it does not change existing conservation laws (Title 37 of Alabama Code) or apply to federally licensed hydropower projects.

Maddy summarySB 304 would allow Alabama municipalities to charge a business license fee to general contractors, subcontractors, engineers, and land surveyors who perform work within the municipality but lack a physical office there. The fee could be a flat rate or based on revenue from work done in that municipality. The bill prevents double-charging if these professionals already pay a similar fee in another municipality where they maintain a physical office. It also clarifies that existing delivery license rules or exemptions still apply, meaning some professionals may not need a separate license. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 143 removes the expiration date (August 31, 2028) for three assessments on nursing home beds in Alabama, making them permanent. These include a supplemental privilege assessment, a secondary supplemental privilege assessment, and a monthly surcharge per bed. The bill ensures nursing facilities will continue paying these costs, and they remain fully included in Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes. This directly affects all Alabama nursing facilities participating in Medicaid, as their reimbursement rates will continue to account for these assessments.

Maddy summarySB 145 removes the expiration date for a 6% tax that privately operated hospitals in Alabama pay on net patient revenue. This tax currently funds Medicaid payments to hospitals and was scheduled to end on September 30, 2028. The bill makes the tax permanent, ensuring ongoing funding for Medicaid hospital payments without a set termination date. It directly affects private hospitals, which will continue paying this assessment to support Medicaid program financing.

Maddy summarySB 144 removes the expiration date for a quarterly fee paid by emergency medical transport providers (like ambulance services) in Alabama. Currently, this assessment - calculated based on providers' revenue from emergency transports and capped at 5.3% - funds Medicaid enhancements for ambulance services and expires July 1, 2028. The bill makes this fee permanent, ensuring ongoing funding for ambulance service maintenance and expansion without a set end date. It affects all Alabama emergency medical transport providers who must report quarterly data to the state. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 152 increases the administrative funding for Alabama's food stamp program from 5% to 7.5% of statewide benefits issued, directly affecting the Department of Human Resources (DHR). It also changes how the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is funded by removing its requirement to be prioritized against use tax revenue, instead allowing other state revenue sources to support CHIP. The bill amends specific sections of Alabama law to adjust the distribution of sales and use tax funds, ensuring DHR receives a fixed annual amount for food stamp administration while providing flexibility for CHIP funding. These changes are limited to administrative adjustments in tax fund allocation, with no new program benefits or eligibility changes.

Maddy summarySB 162 appropriates $169,633 from Alabama's State General Fund to the Coalition Against Domestic Violence for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It requires the Coalition to submit an operations plan and an audited financial statement for 2025 before receiving funds, along with quarterly reports on spending and progress and an annual performance report detailing services provided and program effectiveness. The bill mandates these reports be submitted to the Director of Finance, who will forward them to the Legislative Council. This funding and reporting structure directly affects the Coalition's budget management and accountability for the allocated funds, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 146 is Alabama's 2027 state budget bill, authorizing funding for all state government operations. It allocates specific amounts from the State General Fund and other sources to cover ordinary expenses for executive agencies (like departments and offices), the legislative branch (including the Legislature and courts), judicial functions, debt payments, and infrastructure projects. The bill specifies exact funding levels for each agency and program, such as $19.7 million for the Examiners of Public Accounts and $27.9 million for the Legislature’s operations, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. As a standard appropriations measure, it does not create new policies but provides the financial framework for existing government functions.