Maddy summarySB 153 appropriates $36.6 million from Alabama's Children First Trust Fund and $43.8 million from other tobacco settlement funds for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. The funds will be distributed quarterly to child and family services agencies, including the Alabama Department of Human Resources ($8.85M) and Alabama Medicaid Agency ($1.39M), based on tobacco settlement revenues received within 30 days. The bill requires written notifications of allocations by the State Director of Finance, conditions funding on actual tobacco revenue receipt, and transfers a portion of the fund to the State General Fund for the State Board of Education. Unused funds remain in the Children First Trust Fund rather than reverting to the general budget.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the Alabama Legislature's support for the U.S. Department of Energy's Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation initiative, which seeks to establish campuses that modernize the nation's nuclear fuel cycle. The bill encourages state officials to respond to the Department of Energy's request for information by April 1, 2026, with the goal of securing a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus within Alabama. It also directs a copy of the resolution to be sent to Governor Kay Ivey to facilitate this effort. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement of legislative intent to advance nuclear technology development in the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes county commissions in Alabama counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico to create zoning rules for large-scale solar farms. It allows these counties to set standards for where solar farms can be built, establish permitting requirements, and determine operational conditions for these facilities in unincorporated areas. The legislation includes provisions for penalties, such as fines up to $1,000 and property liens for violations, along with an appeal process that lets affected parties challenge decisions in circuit court. Counties may also charge fees to cover administrative costs and establish exemption processes for specific cases.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides up to $203 million in federal funding to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for the Rural Health Transformation Program during fiscal year 2027. The money is divided among ten specific health initiatives, including support for electronic health records, rural healthcare services, maternal health, workforce development, cancer care, emergency medical services, and mental health programs. The legislation also establishes rules for carrying over unspent funds to the next fiscal year and requires approval from federal officials before any money can be moved between different initiatives.
Maddy summaryThis bill allocates up to $203 million in federal funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program to Alabama's Department of Economic and Community Affairs for fiscal year 2026. The money is divided among ten specific health initiatives focused on rural areas, including electronic health records, workforce development, maternal health, cancer care, mental health services, and emergency medical response improvements. The bill also establishes rules for carrying over unspent funds to the next fiscal year and requires state officials to obtain federal approval before reallocating money between different program categories. These provisions aim to support ongoing healthcare infrastructure and services in rural Alabama communities while maintaining compliance with federal funding requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the construction and operation of new large-scale ground-mounted solar power facilities in Alabama for one year. It directly affects developers, investors, and utility companies planning to build these off-site solar installations. The law defines solar power facilities as ground-mounted photovoltaic panel systems designed to generate electricity for off-site use or sale to third parties. The prohibition applies only to facilities not already operating or under construction when the bill takes effect, which is set to be immediate upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for creating a new regional health care authority from an existing one in Alabama, allowing counties or municipalities to split their current health care services into separate entities. It requires the original and new authority boards to negotiate a separation plan that divides facilities, assets, and liabilities fairly, with binding arbitration available if they cannot agree. The legislation mandates that the new authority have a distinct board of directors and outlines specific steps for transferring ownership of hospitals and other health care resources. Additionally, it sets a 12-month timeline for finalizing the separation plan and requires regular progress reports to the Judge of Probate.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Alabama distributes local funds from the simplified sellers use tax, shifting the basis for allocation from the most recent federal decennial census to population projections updated every five years by the U.S. Census Bureau. The change directly affects counties and municipalities across the state by altering how they receive their share of tax proceeds, with the updated methodology beginning in 2027. Under the new system, 60% of local funds would go to municipalities and 40% to counties, with distribution ratios based on current population estimates rather than waiting for a full census. The bill also repeals existing provisions regarding the timing of tax distribution and sets the effective date for October 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 87 extends the time limit for filing lawsuits against real estate appraisers and complaints to the Board of Real Estate Appraisers from three years to five years. This change directly affects property owners who may seek legal action for appraisal errors and appraisers facing potential claims. The bill modifies existing civil procedure law by updating the statute of limitations period for these specific cases. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee (as of February 2026) and has not yet become law.
Maddy summarySB 150 would change how municipal courts in Alabama handle $10 of each docket fee. Currently, municipal courts retain this $10 for their own operations, but the bill would require it to be deposited directly into the State General Fund instead. This would reduce direct funding available to municipal courts for their daily operations, as the money would now support broader state budget needs. The bill does not alter other fee amounts or distributions for civil, criminal, or traffic cases. It specifically targets the $10 portion of municipal court docket fees.