Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Rural Health Antitrust Immunity Act, allows rural healthcare providers in Alabama to collaborate on activities like shared services, joint purchasing, and coordinated staffing to improve healthcare access and quality in rural areas. To receive this protection from state and federal antitrust laws, providers must obtain a certificate from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, which will review whether the collaboration is necessary to advance public health goals and outweighs any negative effects on competition. The bill requires that these certificates be approved by the Governor and are valid for three years, with ongoing oversight to ensure the collaborations continue to benefit rural communities. It specifically targets rural healthcare facilities facing challenges like provider shortages and facility closures by permitting regulated cooperation that would otherwise be considered anticompetitive.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Alabama Centralized Grant Management Database within the Department of Economic and Community Affairs to create a single online platform for tracking grant opportunities. The database will list all available federal, state, local, and private grants for which Alabama entities are eligible, while also maintaining a voluntary registry of grant writers and technical assistance providers. State agencies must cooperate by providing grant information, and the department will offer guidance to help local governments, small businesses, and nonprofits identify and apply for funding. The system will be publicly accessible, and the department must submit annual reports to state leadership on usage and any operational challenges. Funding for the database will come through legislative appropriations, with the law taking effect on October 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 75 modifies Alabama's public works law to allow government agencies to bypass standard competitive bidding requirements when purchasing materials or equipment through approved cooperative purchasing agreements. This change directly affects state, county, and municipal agencies that typically need to bid contracts exceeding $100,000 for public works projects. The bill expands an existing exception (previously limited to HVAC systems) to cover all materials and equipment bought via cooperative agreements that meet state regulatory standards. This streamlines procurement by letting agencies use pre-negotiated group purchasing deals without public bidding, while maintaining oversight through the Department of Finance's centralized website for notice requirements.
Maddy summarySB 168 prohibits Alabama public K-12 schools from using the "three-cueing system" (which teaches reading through meaning, sentence structure, and visual cues) for foundational reading skills like decoding and word recognition. Instead, it requires all reading materials and teacher training to use evidence-based "structured literacy" methods focused on phonics, phonemic awareness, and systematic instruction. The law applies to textbooks, instructional materials, and educator preparation programs, banning visual memory strategies for word recognition while allowing context and vocabulary support for comprehension. It takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year, with violations requiring public notification by the State Board of Education.
Maddy summarySB 71 prohibits Alabama environmental agencies from creating new rules or amending existing rules that set stricter pollution limits than federal standards for areas like air quality, drinking water, and hazardous waste handling. If no federal standard exists for a specific issue, agencies may only adopt stricter rules if they are based on "best available science" and "weight of scientific evidence," requiring a direct link to proven human health harm. The bill does not affect rules that comply with federal law, are less strict than federal standards, or address emergencies. This directly impacts Alabama's environmental protection agencies and industries regulated under these environmental standards.
Maddy summarySB 74 renames Alabama's AMSTEP program to the LASEA Program (Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama) and expands eligibility to include teachers certified in *any* state-identified acute educator shortage area - not just math, science, or computer science. It provides standard loan assistance to educators in shortage fields and adds supplemental payments for those working in schools or districts designated as having acute shortages (determined by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education with the State Department of Education). The bill directly affects public K-12 teachers in shortage subjects and their schools, aiming to attract and retain educators in high-need areas through financial incentives. It also requires the commission to develop an accountability plan for the program’s evaluation.
Maddy summarySB 72 lowers the minimum age for Alabama's ReEngage Alabama Grant Program from 25 to 22 years for adult learners pursuing their first associate or bachelor's degree. It also expands eligibility to include individuals who previously earned an associate degree, paused studies for two years, and are now seeking their first bachelor's degree without having received a prior grant. The program provides up to $3,000 per semester for university students and $1,500 for community college students to cover tuition and mandatory fees. This change directly affects Alabama residents aged 22+ returning to education after a break, making the grant accessible to a broader group of adult learners.
Maddy summarySB 21 proposes amending Alabama's constitution to require all listed state and local officials to be natural-born U.S. citizens, replacing current requirements that some offices only need U.S. citizenship for a specified period (e.g., 10 years for Governor). It would affect 16 positions including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Supreme Court justices, judges, legislators, county sheriffs, district attorneys, and state auditors. The bill eliminates existing residency-based citizenship timelines and mandates natural-born status for all these offices. This constitutional amendment is currently pending committee review in the Alabama Senate.
Maddy summarySB 73 would prohibit Alabama public K-12 schools from joining athletic associations that have governing boards made up of certain members (requiring at least 50% appointed by state leaders like the Governor and legislative leaders) or that enforce student-athlete eligibility rules not adopted through Alabama’s standard rulemaking process. It also allows the Legislative Council to permit any group to voluntarily adopt rules using that same state rulemaking procedure. If passed, the law would affect schools and athletic associations by setting specific membership requirements and rule adoption standards. The bill is pending committee review and would take effect October 1, 2026, if enacted.
Maddy summarySB 345 proposes to repeal a specific section of state law (Section 45-31-101, Code of Alabama 1975) that currently provides for the compensation of the Superintendent of Education in Geneva County. If enacted, this bill would remove the existing legal provision governing the superintendent's salary. This change directly affects the method by which the Geneva County Superintendent of Education's pay is determined. The act is scheduled to become effective on June 1, 2025.